2/28/11 Luke 15: 25-32

 
"Now the older son was in the field. And as he came and drew near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 so he called one of the servants and asked him what these things meant. 27 And he said to him, "Your brother has come, and because he has received him safe and sound, your father has killed the fatted calf." 28 "But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came out and pleaded with him. 29 "So he answered and said to his father, "Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat that I might make merry with my friends. 30 " But as son as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him." 31 " And he said to him, ' son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. 32 ' It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother  was dead  and is alive again, and was lost and is found,' "

Consider how you would feel if you made a life altering mistake, but was still forgiven and accepted by those who matters most to you. Forgiveness was created by God, who ensures our redemption.

 

3/1/11 Luke 10: 38-42

Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Marta welcomed Him into her house. 39 And she had a sister named Mary, who also sat at Jesus' feet and heard His word. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving, And she approached Him and said, " Lord, do You care that my sister has left me alone to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me." 41 And Jesus answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. 42 "But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her."

"Never get distracted with the work of the Lord and forget the Lord of the work"

 

3/2/11 Luke 22: 24-30

Now there was also a dispute among them, as to which of them should be the greatest. 25 "And He said to them, The kings of the gentile exercise lordship over them, and those who exercise authority over them are called 'benefactors'. 26 'But not so among you, on the contrary, he who is greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and he who governs as he who serves. 28 "But you are those who have continued with Me in My trials. 29 And I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as My father bestowed one upon Me, 30" that you may eat and drink in My kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel."

 " The way to up is down"


3/3/11 Mark 10: 17-22

" Now as He was going out on the road , one came running , knelt before Him and asked him, Good teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life ?" 18 So Jesus said to him, " why do you call Me good? no one is good but One, that is, God. 19 "You know the commandments;" Do not commit adultery, Do not commit murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and your mother.' " 20 And he answered and said to him, Teacher, all these things i have kept from my youth." 21 Then Jesus, looking at him loved him and said to him, one thing you lack, Go your way sell what ever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasures in heaven; and come take up the cross, and follow me." 22 But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

Our true commitment to God  is proven by how much of worldly treasures we are willing to forsake to follow Him.

Never get so attached to the things of this world that our vision of destiny becomes obscured.

 

3/4/11 John 12: 20-26

Now there were  certain  Greeks among those who came up to worship at the feast. 21 Then they came to Philip who was from Bethsaida of Galilee and ask him, saying, Sir we wish to see Jesus." 22 Phillip came and told Andrew and in turn Andrew and Phillip told Jesus. 23 But Jesus answered them saying, "The hour has come that the son of man be glorified.” most assuredly unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies it produces much grain. 25 He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves Me let him follow Me; and where I am there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My father will honor.

"A spirit of pride and arrogance cannot embrace the power of humbleness, but humbleness opens the door for promotion from God."

 
3/5/11 John 13:3-16

Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, 4 rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. 5 After that He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. 6 Then He came to Simon Peter. And Peter said to him Lord, are you washing my feet?" 7 Then Jesus answered and said to him, " what I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this." Peter said to Him, "You shall never wash my feet!" Jesus answered him " If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me."9  Simon Peter said to Him "Lord not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!"10 Jesus said to him "He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean but not all of you." 11 For He knew who would betray Him; therefore He said you are not all clean." 12 So when had washed their feet, taken His garments and sat down again, He said to them, "Do you know what I have done to you?" You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. If then your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also have to wash one another's feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you should do what I have done to you. 16 " Most assuredly I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. 

Be confident in the God who has called you to serve in his kingdom, for God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

 

3/6/11 Mark 10: 35-45

Then James and John the son of Zebedee, came to Him, saying, Teacher we want You to do for us whatever we ask." 36 Then He said to them," What do you want Me to do for you?" 37 They said to Him, Grant us that we may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on Your left, in Your glory."38 But Jesus said to them," You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?"39 They said to Him, "We are able,." So Jesus said to them," You will indeed drink the cup that I drink, and with the baptism I am baptized with you will be baptized; 40 " but to sit on my right hand and on my left is not mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared." 41 And when the ten heard it, they began to be greatly displeased with James and John. 42 But Jesus called them to himself and said to them, You know those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 43" Yet it shall not be so among you, but whoever desires to become great among yo shall be your servant. 44 Whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. 45 For even the son of man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many."

Ultimate greatness with God requires great sacrifice, but Paul declares in Romans 8 :18" For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.