SHARING BREAD¹⁷ For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open. Luke 8:17 (NIV)Truth will eventually come to light.  Isn’t that a great promise of Scripture?  There is nothing hidden that the light will not shine upon, nothing concealed that will not be made fully known.  God is always just and righteous – He can be counted on in this and we can certainly depend on Him to do what He proclaims.  Scripture tells us:⁴ He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just.  A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.   Deut 32:4 (NIV) The world would have us believe that God’s truths will not come to pass – that our faith is no more than just an “opiate for the masses” – something that the weak can hold on to.  Jesus told His disciples (as He tells us): ¹⁹ ”I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am He.   John 13:19 (NIV) Our verse for today is also an encouragement for God’s children who have been treated unjustly.  Again, all truth will be made manifest.  God will right every wrong.  He tells us that it is His to avenge, that it is His to repay: ¹⁷ Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. ¹⁸ If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. ¹⁹ Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.   Romans 12:17-19 (NIV)Paul tells us again in Colossians:²⁵ Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism.  Col 3:25 (NIV) As faithful children, we serve Christ and a day is coming when He will right all wrongs.  He will bestow upon us our inheritance and will judge without favoritism, repaying wrongdoers and rewarding those who faithfully serve Him.  Jeremiah tells us: ¹⁰ ”I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct,
according to what his deeds deserve.”     Jer 17:10 (NIV) God not only judges our actions but also understands the motives and attitudes of our hearts.  This in itself is a catalyst for us to search our own hearts and minds checking for motives behind our actions. We are told: 
² All a man’s ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the LORD. Prov 16:2 (NIV)⁹ ”And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever.   1 Chron 28:9 (NIV) Lastly, light dispels darkness and gives direction.  God has called us to be a light for Him in this period of His-story.  In this world of darkness, we are to shine forth the light of Christ giving direction to those walking in spiritual blindness – always pointing them to Christ.  He tells us: ¹⁴ ”You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.   Matt 5:14-16 (NIV) “The oil of the lamp in the temple burned away in giving light; so should we.”  R. M. M’Cheyne “God has called us to shine.”  Dwight L. Moody What I glean from this: 

• God is faithful, righteous and just and can be depended upon.

• Everything hidden shall one day be brought to light.

• We are to shine like stars in the universe as we hold out the word of life.

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SHARING BREAD¹⁷ For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open. Luke 8:17 (NIV)Truth will eventually come to light.  Isn’t that a great promise of Scripture?  There is nothing hidden that the light will not shine upon, nothing concealed that will not be made fully known.  God is always just and righteous – He can be counted on in this and we can certainly depend on Him to do what He proclaims.  Scripture tells us:⁴ He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just.  A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.   Deut 32:4 (NIV) The world would have us believe that God’s truths will not come to pass – that our faith is no more than just an “opiate for the masses” – something that the weak can hold on to.  Jesus told His disciples (as He tells us): ¹⁹ ”I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am He.   John 13:19 (NIV) Our verse for today is also an encouragement for God’s children who have been treated unjustly.  Again, all truth will be made manifest.  God will right every wrong.  He tells us that it is His to avenge, that it is His to repay: ¹⁷ Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. ¹⁸ If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. ¹⁹ Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.   Romans 12:17-19 (NIV)Paul tells us again in Colossians:²⁵ Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism.  Col 3:25 (NIV) As faithful children, we serve Christ and a day is coming when He will right all wrongs.  He will bestow upon us our inheritance and will judge without favoritism, repaying wrongdoers and rewarding those who faithfully serve Him.  Jeremiah tells us: ¹⁰ ”I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct,
according to what his deeds deserve.”     Jer 17:10 (NIV) God not only judges our actions but also understands the motives and attitudes of our hearts.  This in itself is a catalyst for us to search our own hearts and minds checking for motives behind our actions. We are told: 
² All a man’s ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the LORD. Prov 16:2 (NIV)⁹ ”And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever.   1 Chron 28:9 (NIV) Lastly, light dispels darkness and gives direction.  God has called us to be a light for Him in this period of His-story.  In this world of darkness, we are to shine forth the light of Christ giving direction to those walking in spiritual blindness – always pointing them to Christ.  He tells us: ¹⁴ ”You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.   Matt 5:14-16 (NIV) “The oil of the lamp in the temple burned away in giving light; so should we.”  R. M. M’Cheyne “God has called us to shine.”  Dwight L. Moody What I glean from this: 

• God is faithful, righteous and just and can be depended upon.

• Everything hidden shall one day be brought to light.

• We are to shine like stars in the universe as we hold out the word of life.

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SHARING BREAD⁸ Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.”

     When he said this, he called out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” Luke 8:8 (NIV)When the Word falls on the good, benevolent, virtuous, profitable and useful heart of a hearer, it thereby causes the hearer to produce external acts which will manifest in the production of something tangible and obvious to the senses – actions that are done repeatedly and habitually. This, of course, is advantageous to other as well as to the hearer, always promoting the hearer’s welfare (whether the world deems it profitable or not).  Obedience to God is always profitable.  Jesus gives us the meaning of this verse later in the chapter:¹⁵ But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.   Luke 8:15 (NIV) According to the above verse, those who produce fruit for the kingdom of God are those that upon hearing the Word embrace it with assent and obedience, possessing it with care and interest and persevere with endurance, patience, and constancy under sufferings in faith and duty with a tranquil mind.  I think I’m getting a bit convicted here!  Does this not define the followers of Christ in Scripture?  Think of the lives of Paul, Peter, and John just to name a few.  Scripture tells us: Paul states: 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) Peter states: ³ His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. ⁴ Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. ⁵ For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; ⁶ and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; ⁷ and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. ⁸ For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹ But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.   2 Peter 1:3-9 (NIV) John states:  ¹ Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. ² This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. ³ This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, ⁴ for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. ⁵ Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.    1 John 5:1-5 (NIV)I am vexed in spirit over our cavalier attitude regarding our responsibilities of the grace and favor bestowed upon us for kingdom work.  I am quite sure God does not approve of our apathy.  I am reminded of a question God posed to Haggai regarding the rebuilding of the temple – think about this in light of where the temple of God is located now, the believer’s physical body:Ask them, ³ ’Who of you is left who saw this house in its former glory? How does it look to you now? Does it not seem to you like nothing? ⁴ But now be strong, O Zerubbabel,’ declares the LORD. ‘Be strong, O Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land,’ declares the LORD, ‘and work. For I am with you,’ declares the LORD Almighty. ⁵ ’This is what I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt. And my Spirit remains among you. Do not fear.’   Hag 2:2-5 (NIV)In comparison to the disciples in Scripture who greatly manifested the glory of Christ through their lives – Paul, Peter, and John (just to name a few) – could He not ask of us the same question today?  How do our temples measure up to those of the saints of the past?  “Does it not seem to you like nothing?”  Be strong now and do the work.  “He, who has ears to hear, let him hear.”What I glean from this:

• I am responsible to embrace and obey God’s word.
• I am to persevere in faith enduring trials with a tranquil mind.
• God cares about my temple.

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SHARING BREAD⁷ Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. Luke 8:7 (NIV)We may be very interested in the message of Jesus but refuse to accept it because of our devotion to worldly wealth, pleasures and material things.  Life’s worries, riches and enjoyments take precedence, choking out Truth, preventing us from reaching maturity or attaining God’s intended goal for our lives.  How easy it is to fall into this category!  We live in a land with such distractions and great wealth that I am afraid we suffer from the disease that Beth Moore has dubbed “affluenza”.   We don’t worry if we will eat; it’s deciding what we want to eat or even which restaurant we want to eat it in (my personal favorite)!  We don’t worry about having something to wear; it’s what selection we will make from our over-stuffed closets that have us fraught.  We don’t worry about what we will watch or read or listen to, we have myriads of choices at our beck and call. If we are not careful, we can become consumed, distracted and waste out lives.  A perfect example from Scripture is the conversation between the rich young self-confident ruler and Jesus:¹⁸ A certain ruler asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” ¹⁹ “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good–except God alone. ²⁰ You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.’ “21 ”All these I have kept since I was a boy,” he said. ²² When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” ²³ When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was a man of great wealth. ²⁴ Jesus looked at him and said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! ²⁵ Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”    Luke 18:18-25 (NIV)This passage isn’t a lesson on riches but a lesson on Lordship.  Jesus is looking for wholehearted devotion and a willing mind from among His followers.  The ruler in this passage had a vice grip on his wealth preventing the Lordship of Christ and with it abundant life in the here and now and eternal life in the hereafter – not losing salvation but never possessing it.  Before we get too comfortable and smug, if riches happen not to be our particular folly, we can substitute anything for “wealth” in the above passage.  It can be a job, or fame, popularity, or beauty, companionship, spouse, friends, children, knowledge and even self – the list is virtually endless.  The key is what is on the throne of our lives.  Anything but Christ and we will be weighed on the scales and found wanting.Jesus gives the meaning for our verse for today later in this same chapter:¹⁴ The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature.  Luke 8:14 (NIV) Those described here are people who go about their daily affairs of life without giving heed to the Giver of it.  They miss the mark never being brought to the intended goal – actually the word mature has in it the meaning of ripeness. A great quote by Gilbert Arland hits the nail on the head: “When the archer misses the mark, he turns and looks for the fault within himself. Failure to hit the bull’s eye is never the fault of the target.  To improve your aim – improve yourself.”  Christ observes our lives and the fruit that we bear for His glory. I am reminded of a verse in Scripture that relates to this point: ⁹ For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.   2 Chron 16:9 (NIV) Let’s consider another example from Scripture of someone consumed with worldliness and his ultimate fate – Judas Iscariot.  He walked with Jesus and dined with Jesus and was considered among His inner circle of twelve.  Jesus shared bread with Judas the night of His betrayal and even washed Judas’ feet.  Yet Judas held back a part of his heart making him susceptible to Satan’s entry.  Scripture states:
 ⁴ But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, ⁵ ”Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages. “6 He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.   John 12:4-6 (NIV)Is betrayal ²⁷ As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him.  John 13:27 (NIV)³⁰ As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out. And it was night.  John 13:30 (NIV) It is always night (darkness) when we are in disobedience. Jesus tells us all plainly:  ¹² When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”  John 8:12 (NIV)What I glean from this:

• It is easy for me to lose focus on Christ and His message and have a worldly mindset that is not pleasing to God.
• God is looking for wholehearted devotion from me.
• If I do not have wholehearted devotion I leave myself open for Satan’s attack.

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SHARING BREAD⁶ Some fell on rock, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. Luke 8:6 (NIV)What makes an oak tree able to survive a serious drought?  The answer lies in its roots.  Such is the flourishing, abundant life of the Christian.  One purpose of trials and test’s is to strengthen those roots so that we may increasingly demonstrate and prove the reality of our faith.  What do we do when trials come our way?  Do we bolt and run?  Do we wither away and die?  Is our allegiance to the Lord only valid when the sun is shining?  May it never be!  Much of life is made up of tribulations – that is the promise of Scripture: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) Jesus tells us to expect these troubles and difficulties yet to cheer up because we serve the Victor!  We are on the winning team!  Christ is looking for disciples who will stand in the heat of adversity and not only stand, but flourish within it.  James succinctly puts it this way:  ² Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³ because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. ⁴ Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.   James 1:2-4 (NIV) I don’t know about you, but I desire to be mature and complete not lacking anything!  Peter adds: ⁶ In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. ⁷ These have come so that your faith–of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire–may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.   1 Peter 1:6-7 (NIV) Jesus gives the meaning of our verse for today to His disciples later in this same chapter of Luke: ¹³ Those on the rock are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away.   Luke 8:13 (NIV) The Word was given and received with joy – emotive exuberance permeated.  As life progressed, as it always does, trials sans roots withered the vine on the branch.  This does not mean that they lost their salvation for they had none to lose.  I am reminded of the verse in James regarding reliance on our emotions alone:  ¹⁸ But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”  Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. ¹⁹ You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that–and shudder.   James 2:18-19 (NIV)Emotions alone just qualify us for being a demon!  We would do well not to give inordinate place to our feelings.  Feelings come and go – waxing and waning with our circumstances.  Our roots must go down deep into the “Living Water” in order for us to withstand the winds and torrents of life.  Paul prays a wonderful prayer for the Ephesians regarding the strengthening of the saints.  We would do well to pray this over our own lives as well as the lives of our families and friends:¹⁴ For this reason I kneel before the Father, ¹⁵ from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. ¹⁶ I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, ¹⁷ so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, ¹⁸ may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, ¹⁹ and to know this love that surpasses knowledge–that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Eph 3:14-19 (NIV) It takes more than emotional fervor to stand with Christ during crisis – we need to be rooted and grounded in His Word having donned the full armor of God: “So that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ¹⁵ and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷ Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. ¹⁸ And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.”   Eph 6:13-18 (NIV) What I glean from this: 

• I cannot depend on my emotions alone to stand firm in Christ when trials come.
• My trials help develop perseverance within me, prove my faith to be genuine and result in praise and glory to God.
• I must be rooted and grounded in the Word of God so that when the day of evil comes I may be able to stand.

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SHARING BREAD  ⁴ While a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from town after town, he told this parable: ⁵ “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds of the air ate it up. Luke 8:4-5 (NIV)Unwilling, unrepentant, unchanged, stone cold – words that could be used to describe the hearts of those Jesus refers to in the above verses from the Parable of the Sower.  Later in this chapter, when Jesus gives the meaning of the parable to His disciples He states:¹¹ ”This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. ¹² Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved.  Luke 8:11-12 (NIV)This is scary to me because we are each held accountable for what our ears have heard and our eyes have seen.  In our country we are so blessed to have such a great wealth of depth and knowledge of God’s Word from the pulpits, commentaries, books and the likes.  We are exposed to Truth over and over again.  We often are guilty of stopping up our ears, not changing and turning from our ways thereby trampling the Truth underfoot.  The gospel always demands decision.  This reminds me of Jesus’ words In the Sermon on the Mount that may help shed more insight into this same matter: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) We also run the risk when we entrust holy sacred things to unholy people of having them trample them under their feet and then turning and tearing us to pieces!  This is exactly what Jesus incurred from the Pharisees and the Teachers of the Law of His day.  We have no right to think that the types of relationships Jesus encountered should be any different from what we encounter in our day.  Their reaction broke the heart of our Savior.  We are told: 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.  Matt 23:37 (NIV) The Bible Knowledge Commentary expounds on this verse: “In a final lament over the city of Jerusalem, Jesus stated His desire for that nation. Jerusalem, the capital, represented the entire nation, and people there had killed the prophets and stoned those sent to them (cf. Matt. 23:34; 21:35). He longed to gather the nation together much as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings. The nation, unlike chicks that naturally run to their mother hen in times of danger, willfully refused (you were not willing) to turn to the Lord. They were responsible to make a choice and their choice brought condemnation. The result was their house was left… desolate, or alone.” Paul echoes the same feelings over the rejection of Truth by his fellow Jews: ¹ I speak the truth in Christ–I am not lying, my conscience confirms it in the Holy Spirit– ² I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. ³ For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, those of my own race, ⁴ the people of Israel.   Romans 9:1-4 (NIV) Paul had deep anguish of heart over the rejection of the gospel by the vast majority of Jews.  He echoes this same tenderness in 2 Corinthians regarding the redeemed who were being led astray from the Lordship of Christ: ² I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him. ³ But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.  2 Cor 11:1-3 (NIV) “Instead of resisting (cf. James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:9) the devil’s inducement to disobedience Eve listened and succumbed (Gen. 3:1-6). The serpent enticed her by his cunning (panourgia, “trickery”; cf. 2 Cor. 4:2). The devil’s representatives in Corinth (11:13-15) were also seductive. They should have been spurned (cf. 6:14-15) but instead were tolerated (11:4). Worse still, if the church like Eve obeyed the lie they would be guilty of disobedience to God and disloyalty to Christ, whom they were single-mindedly to love and obey. (Sincere renders the Gr. noun haplot¢tos, “simplicity in the sense of single-mindedness”; cf. 1:12).”—Bible Knowledge Commentary Jesus has commanded all of His followers to go and make disciples because, as Paul states: ¹⁴ How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? ¹⁵ And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”  Romans 10:14-15 (NIV) “He who has ears, let him hear.”   Matt 11:15 (NIV)What I glean from this: ·         I am held accountable for the things my ears have heard and my eyes have seen.·         I can expect to incur reactions from others as Jesus received from the Pharisees and the Teachers of the Law when presenting the gospel.·         I am called to bring the good news to others no matter what the results.  *****************************************************************************

SHARING BREAD ⁵⁰ Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” Luke 7:50 (NIV)Safe, delivered, made whole, preserved from danger, loss or destruction – this woman’s soul could go in peace.  Forgiven, cleansed by the Master, and freed from the bondage of her sin she was now at liberty to dance unrestricted before her Savior.  Who wouldn’t desire such tranquility, repose, calm, well being and harmony?  Such a state of untroubled, undisturbed well being is sought after for certain!  Is anyone out there besides me interested in acquiring this also?Peace – spoken to throughout the whole of Scripture and sought out by man.  Unfortunately, we often pursue peace in all the wrong places.  The world would have us believe that we can obtain great peace by “Having it our own way” or acquiring a certain item or by looking a certain way or by being with a certain person or group of people.  While there is nothing wrong with any of this per se – none of it will bring lasting peace.  I am reminded of God’s words spoken through the prophet Jeremiah in regard to His people being taught this same type of foolishness:¹³ ”From the least to the greatest, all are greedy for gain; prophets and priests alike, all practice deceit. ¹⁴ They dress the wound of my people as though it were not serious.  ‘Peace, peace,’ they say, when there is no peace. ¹⁵ Are they ashamed of their loathsome conduct?  No, they have no shame at all; they do not even know how to blush.   Jer 6:13-15 (NIV)Flagrantly pursuing worldly objects or persons will never bring lasting peace.  It is the Lord Jesus that grants this treasure:²⁴ ”‘ “The LORD bless you and keep you; 25 the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you;
²⁶ the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.”‘    Num 6:24-26 (NIV)Scripture gives us further insight into obtaining lasting peace:¹⁶⁵ Great peace have they who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.  Psalms 119:165 (NIV) ³ You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.  Isaiah 26:3 (NIV) ¹⁷ The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever.  Isaiah 32:17 (NIV) ⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Phil 4:6-7 (NIV) ¹⁰ For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech.   ¹¹ He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it. ¹² For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”             1 Peter 3:9-12 (NIV) God gives us specific instructions to the way of lasting peace – promises of Scripture that we all can claim as we participate in the Divine commands through the power of the Holy Spirit.  A lover of God’s Word coupled with a steadfast mind that trusts in Him will evidence great and perfect peace in a life. A righteous, thankful, prayerful, life leads to a life filled with peace which transcends our understanding.  Jesus Himself tells us 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 14:26-27 (NIV)Obey His commands, claim His promises. “The path to spiritual wholeness lies in my increasingly faithful response to the One whose purpose shapes my path, whose power liberates me from crippling bondages of my previous journey, and whose transforming presence meets me at every turn in the road.”  Robert Mulholland What I glean from this: ·         My peace does not come from the world but from Christ.·         In loving God’s Word and keeping a steadfast mind I will experience God’s peace.·         Through a righteous life and through prayer with a thankful heart, God’s peace will guard my heart and my mind.  *****************************************************************************

SHARING BREAD⁴⁷ Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven–for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little.” Luke 7:47 (NIV)God loves an expressive grateful heart – it is a demonstration of our faith.  In the above verse, Jesus is referring to the woman whom Simon had deemed a “sinner”.  Unbeknownst to him, he fell into that exact same category.  Her appreciation and love flowed from a heart of gratitude for her forgiven sins; Simon’s self-righteous haughtiness flowed from an unrepentant heart – filled with self-sufficiency – not having a clue that he even needed to be thankful for the mercy and grace offered by Christ.  We can so delude ourselves can’t we?  Looking down our big fat noses at those we place in the “sinner” category never delving into the vileness of our own depravity – we don’t want to go there, it is simply too convicting!  Yet, that is what God has called us to.  Scripture tells us: ⁹ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. ¹⁰ If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.  1 John 1:9-10 (NIV)Isaiah adds:¹⁵ This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.   Isaiah 30:15 (NIV) We do not want to be obstinate children heaping sin upon sin; rebellious, deceitful, unwilling to listen to the Lord’s instruction.  We must remember:
¹⁸ Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion.  For the LORD is a God of justice.  Blessed are all who wait for him!   Isaiah 30:18 (NIV)This dear woman had a love for our Lord that was rooted in her mind and in her will which esteemed and prized and treated as precious the One who could and would forgive her sins. Simply put, she was devoted to Him and He delighted in that.  We would do well to follow her example.  Scripture holds many promises for those the Lord delights in:  ²³ If the LORD delights in a man’s way, he makes his steps firm; ²⁴ though he stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand.   Psalms 37:23-24 (NIV)¹¹ the LORD delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love. Psalms 147:11 (NIV) ¹⁸ Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance?  You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy.
¹⁹ You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.  Micah 7:18-19 (NIV) When we delight in Him – the desires of our heart are met.  David, the man after God’s own heart states:³ Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. ⁴ Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.   Psalms 37:3-4 (NIV)Unbeknownst to most, the greatest desire of man is to experience more of God.  Whether one realizes this or not is a mute point, the fact remains that it is true.  Until we realize that our contentment can come only from Christ we will all find ourselves predominately unsatisfied with life and needy.  We will never be rich enough, skinny enough, athletic enough, smart enough, acquire enough or have companions enough to satisfy our deepest longings and needs – trust me here, all of that list plus more falls short.  If Solomon the wisest man to ever live and one of the richest could say after his many, many life experiences – all is vanity, why in the world do we think it would be any different for us?  Hell-o, let’s try to learn a little something from history here:² ”Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher. “Utterly meaningless!  Everything is meaningless.”  Eccl 1:2 (NIV)Contrast this to the “good gift” Christ offers His children in Luke – the gift of the Holy Spirit which is precisely more of Him:⁹ ”So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. ¹⁰ For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. ¹¹ ”Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? ¹² Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? ¹³ If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”  Luke 11:9-13 (NIV) Indeed, the Holy Spirit is the good and perfect gift! What I glean from this:

• Jesus loves for me to have an attitude of gratitude for all He has done for me.
• Jesus wants to be the greatest desire of my heart – He alone satisfies my every need.
• When I delight in Him, I experience more of Him which is the contentment and peace that I long for.

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SHARING BREAD ³⁶ Now one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, so he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. ³⁷ When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, ³⁸ and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them. ³⁹ When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is–that she is a sinner.” Luke 7:36-39 (NIV)What a scene!  Invited to dine with a Pharisee named Simon, Jesus goes and is reclining at the table. For special dinner parties recliners or couches were often provided for the guests to use while eating (Bible Knowledge Commentary).  Enter the “sinful” woman.  Evidently, her fame was widespread as Simon knew she was a “sinner” – and so did our Lord.  Interestingly, Luke tells us his name but not hers focusing our attention on her actions not her person. It was customary for the host of a dinner party to provide for his guests’ feet to be washed before the meal.  In that day, roads were dusty and shoes were sandals causing the feet to become dirty or muddy yet Simon had not offered Jesus this kindness – quite possibly an indication of his feelings of superiority.  An uninvited sinful woman comes to Jesus’ aid.  As a sign of humility, respect, submission and affection, this woman stood behind Jesus weeping and wetting His feet with her tears, wiping them off with her hair and continually kissing them.  Scripture does not tell us why.  She may have been seeking repentance; she may have been overjoyed to be in the presence of the Messiah; she may have seen Him as her only hope.  Whatever the reason, her demonstration of love toward our Savior is commendable.  Taking what more than likely was one of her most valuable possessions, she breaks open the jar of alabaster and pours perfume on Jesus’ feet.  The fragrance of an acceptable sacrifice fills the room.  I am reminded of Paul’s words to the Philippians:¹⁸ I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. ¹⁹ And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.   Phil 4:18-19 (NIV) Our sacrifices never go unnoticed by our God.  Remember that.  Paul writes in Philippians 2: 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 2:17-18 (NIV) What we do for others in Jesus’ name we do for Him.  Quite frankly, that makes it easier for me to serve “sinful” man.  I attempt, though oftentimes fail, to envision Jesus’ face on others and treat them as I would my Lord.  Not an easy task but one that we are called to.  Again, Paul so eloquently states in Philippians: ¹ If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, ² then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. ³ Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. ⁴ Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. ⁵ Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:  Phil 2:1-5 (NIV)In our “have it your way” society, humility, selflessness and sacrifice have almost become extinct!  Acts of service with no ulterior motive except to please our Lord would indeed allow us to “shine like stars in the universe”!  It is always important for us to check our motives – striving for a clean and pure heart.  Even when our actions are misunderstood by others – God knows and that is good enough for me!This sweet lady honored our Lord through her actions appearing to not notice anyone else in the room – even the snide glances of Simon.  Purest love demonstrated through a “sinner” such as us!  May we strive to appreciate and love our Lord that much!What I glean from this:

• Out of humble submission, affection and love for my Lord, I am to treat others as I would Christ.  “7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. ⁸ Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” 1 John 4:7-8 (NIV).
• I should check my motives before my actions. “Man sees your actions, but God, your motives.”  Thomas a Kempis
•  In loving sacrificially, I will shine like a star (I like that!).

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SHARING BREAD³⁵ But wisdom is proved right by all her children.” Luke 7:35 (NIV)Jesus, addressing the rejection of the Pharisees and the “experts” in the law in regard to John and Himself, gives a powerful statement on results.  We are to check out the proof – examine the life – wisdom will be proved right by His followers.  Wisdom, skill, aptitude, expertise, deep understanding, and insight are divinely bestowed gifts having in them the nature of the Author who, of course, is the Source of all wisdom.  Paul tells us in Colossians: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.  Col 2:1-3 (NIV)The Bible Knowledge Commentary states:“Knowledge is the apprehension of truth; wisdom is its application to life. Knowledge is prudent judgment and wisdom is prudent action. Both are found in Christ whose wisdom is foolishness to the world, but who is the power of God by which a believer receives “righteousness, holiness, and redemption”. Paul gives us insight in Romans regarding the wisdom and knowledge of God:³³ Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!  How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!   Romans 11:33 (NIV) God’s wisdom is vast and beyond measure.  Proverbs chapter eight is a grand chapter on the wisdom of God and well worth the investment of our time to read through.  I have “cherry picked” a few of the verses to whet our appetites! ¹ Does not wisdom call out?  Does not understanding raise her voice?  ² On the heights along the way, where the paths meet, she takes her stand; ³ beside the gates leading into the city, at the entrances, she cries aloud:  ⁴ ”To you, O men, I call out; I raise my voice to all mankind.  ⁵ You who are simple, gain prudence; you who are foolish, gain understanding.  Prov 8:1-5 (NIV) ¹⁰ Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, ¹¹ for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her.  Prov 8:10-11 (NIV)¹⁷ I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me. ¹⁸ With me are riches and honor,
enduring wealth and prosperity.   Prov 8:17-18 (NIV) ³⁵ For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the LORD.  ³⁶ But whoever fails to find me harms himself; all who hate me love death.”   Prov 8:35-36 (NIV) Our choices are wisdom, which leads to life, or folly, which leads to death.  Hmmmm….. Wisdom is certainly getting my attention!  Wisdom displayed in a life is actually the embracing of, the ensuing indwelling of and the “fleshing out” of Christ’s life in the believer.  Christ is our Supreme example of wisdom in the flesh.  We are told to follow and walk as He did enabled by the power of the Holy Spirit – this is our confirmation that we belong to Jesus: This is how we know we are in him: ⁶ Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.1 John 2:5-6 (NIV) Not an easy task for sure yet nevertheless commanded.  I suppose that is what is meant by the word “all” in our verse for today!  To demonstrate or show ourselves to be just, righteous and upright evidences that Wisdom (Christ) reigns within us.     ⁶ He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the LORD is the key to this treasure.  Isaiah 33:6 (NIV) What I glean from this:

• In Christ are “hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge”.
• I am to seek and choose and obtain Wisdom which leads to life.
• Enabled by the Spirit’s power, I am to walk as Jesus did.

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