“The seeds that fell among the thorns represent those who hear the message, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the cares and riches and pleasures of this life. And so they never grow into maturity” (Luke 8:14 NLT). Jesus told a parable about a farmer who scattered seed that fell onto
“Who is this man, that he goes around forgiving sins?” (Luke 7:49 NLT). The men sitting at Simon the Pharisee’s table questioned Christ’s habit of forgiving sins. He had just allowed an immoral woman to anoint His feet and said nothing to rebuke her. Then, to top it off, Jesus forgave the woman her sins.
“And the news about Jesus spread throughout Judea and the surrounding countryside” (Luke 7:17 NLT). After Jesus interrupted a funeral procession to raise a widow’s son from the dead, the news of his miracles and teachings spread throughout Judea and the whole vicinity. This illustrates a truth easily discovered anywhere humans dwell, namely, news spreads.
“So why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord!’ when you don’t do what I say?” (Luke 6:46 NLT). Jesus made it clear that those who call Him “Lord,” should obey His word. He taught that obeying His word would not prevent life’s storms, but it would build a strong foundation that would endure any
“May your ways be known throughout the earth, your saving power among people everywhere. May the nations praise you, O God. Yes, may all the nations praise you” (Psalms 67:2-3 NLT). This psalm expresses a prayer that all the nations would one day know the Lord and his salvation. Centuries before Jesus gave the Great
“Though we are overwhelmed by our sins, you forgive them all” (Psalm 65:3 NLT). When we confess Jesus as Lord and believe in our hearts that he died for sins, was buried and raised from the dead, we are saved. In that very moment, we have been saved from sin’s penalty (justification), we are being
“Then Jesus went to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and taught there in the synagogue every Sabbath day. There, too, the people were amazed at his teaching, for he spoke with authority” (Luke 4:31-32 NLT). The people in the town of Capernaum embraced the ministry of Jesus. So, he made this fishing and marketplace crossroads,
“I will praise you as long as I live, lifting up my hands to you in prayer. You satisfy me more than the richest feast. I will praise you with songs of joy” (Psalm 63:4-5 NLT). David wrote of his strong desire to be satisfied and joyful in the Lord. He sought to bear the
“You must present these offerings to the Lord at your annual festivals” (Numbers 29:39 NLT). Reading through all the instructions concerning offerings and festivals in the Old Testament is pretty overwhelming. It seems impossible to keep up with them all. Yet, God was teaching His people to remember Him and what He had done for
“It was now the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius, the Roman emperor. Pontius Pilate was governor over Judea; Herod Antipas was ruler over Galilee; his brother Philip was ruler over Iturea and Traconitis; Lysanias was ruler over Abilene. Annas and Caiaphas were the high priests. At this time a message from God came