Dailies ~
Advent
December
13, 2019
Luke 12 has a lot of ‘wow’ factor statements and some ‘get real’
facts from Jesus Himself! I do not believe any of us can read through it and
not feel the need to check ourselves to see where we have failed Him and repent
and fix the issues. Whether it is a fear issue; fear of the wrong things,
people, places when we should really fear God only. Jesus points out that it is
God who created us and who has the power over all those things we fear; our small
human minds can be caught up in the sight of what could be instead of paying
attention to what is the Truth. He warns us against those who are selfish, who
tell you one thing and do another, who are overly prideful and think they are
better than the rest of us. What I learned over all this is that God is in
control of my life and I should not worry! He’s got this! Why should I fear? If
I put my trust in Jesus and keep it there then all things will fall into place,
according to His will of course, but as He sees the best things I am okay with
that!
Heavenly Father, help us to trust You to provide, to protect, to produce
in us that which we need, to bless us with our desires of the heart and to
guide our steps wherever we should go when we put our trust in You. In Jesus’
name, amen.
Meanwhile, the crowds grew until thousands were milling about and
stepping on each other. Jesus turned first to his disciples and warned
them, “Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees—their hypocrisy. 2 The time is coming when
everything that is covered up will be revealed, and all that is secret will be
made known to all. 3 Whatever
you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have
whispered behind closed doors will be shouted from the housetops for all to
hear!
4 “Dear
friends, don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot do
any more to you after that. 5 But I’ll tell you whom to fear. Fear God, who
has the power to kill you and then throw you into hell.[a] Yes, he’s the one to
fear.
6 “What is
the price of five sparrows—two copper coins? Yet God does not forget a single
one of them. 7 And the
very hairs on your head are all numbered. So, don’t be afraid; you are more
valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.
8 “I tell
you the truth, everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, the Son of
Man[c] will also acknowledge
in the presence of God’s angels. 9 But anyone who denies me here on earth will be
denied before God’s angels. 10 Anyone who speaks against the Son of Man can be
forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.
11 “And when
you are brought to trial in the synagogues and before rulers and authorities,
don’t worry about how to defend yourself or what to say, 12 for the Holy Spirit will
teach you at that time what needs to be said.”
13 Then
someone called from the crowd, “Teacher, please tell my brother to divide our
father’s estate with me.”
14 Jesus
replied, “Friend, who made me a judge over you to decide such things as
that?” 15 Then he
said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by
how much you own.”
16 Then he
told them a story: “A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine
crops. 17 He said
to himself, ‘What should I do? I don’t have room for all my crops.’ 18 Then he said, ‘I know! I’ll
tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store
all my wheat and other goods. 19 And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend,
you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink,
and be merry!”’
20 “But God
said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get
everything you worked for?’
21 “Yes, a
person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship
with God.”
22 Then,
turning to his disciples, Jesus said, “That is why I tell you not to worry
about everyday life—whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to
wear. 23 For life
is more than food, and your body more than clothing. 24 Look at the ravens. They
don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them. And you are
far more valuable to him than any birds! 25 Can all your worries add a
single moment to your life? 26 And if worry can’t accomplish a little thing
like that, what’s the use of worrying over bigger things?
27 “Look at
the lilies and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet
Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 28 And if God cares so
wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow,
he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?
29 “And
don’t be concerned about what to eat and what to drink. Don’t worry about such
things. 30 These
things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world, but your Father
already knows your needs. 31 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he
will give you everything you need.
32 “So don’t
be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you
the Kingdom.
33 “Sell
your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you
in heaven! And the purses of heaven never get old or develop holes. Your
treasure will be safe; no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it. 34 Wherever your treasure is,
there the desires of your heart will also be.
35 “Be
dressed for service and keep your lamps burning, 36 as though you were waiting
for your master to return from the wedding feast. Then you will be ready to
open the door and let him in the moment he arrives and knocks. 37 The servants who are ready
and waiting for his return will be rewarded. I tell you the truth, he himself
will seat them, put on an apron, and serve them as they sit and eat! 38 He may come in the middle
of the night or just before dawn. But whenever he comes, he will reward the
servants who are ready.
39 “Understand
this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would not
permit his house to be broken into. 40 You also must be ready all the time, for the Son
of Man will come when least expected.”
41 Peter
asked, “Lord, is that illustration just for us or for everyone?”
42 And the
Lord replied, “A faithful, sensible servant is one to whom the master can
give the responsibility of managing his other household servants and feeding
them. 43 If the
master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a
reward. 44 I tell
you the truth, the master will put that servant in charge of all he owns. 45 But what if the servant
thinks, ‘My master won’t be back for a while,’ and he begins beating the other
servants, partying, and getting drunk? 46 The master will return unannounced
and unexpected, and he will cut the servant in pieces and banish him with the
unfaithful.
47 “And a
servant who knows what the master wants, but isn’t prepared and doesn’t carry
out those instructions, will be severely punished. 48 But someone who does not
know, and then does something wrong, will be punished only lightly. When
someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone
has been entrusted with much, even more will be required.
49 “I have
come to set the world on fire, and I wish it were already burning! 50 I have a terrible baptism
of suffering ahead of me, and I am under a heavy burden until it is
accomplished. 51 Do you
think I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I have come to divide people
against each other! 52 From now on families will be split apart, three
in favor of me, and two against—or two in favor and three against.
53 ‘Father will be divided against son
and son against father;
mother against daughter
and daughter against mother;
and mother-in-law against daughter-in-law
and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.’ ”
and son against father;
mother against daughter
and daughter against mother;
and mother-in-law against daughter-in-law
and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.’ ”
54 Then Jesus turned to the
crowd and said, “When you see clouds beginning to form in the west, you
say, ‘Here comes a shower.’ And you are right. 55 When the south wind blows,
you say, ‘Today will be a scorcher.’ And it is. 56 You fools! You know how to
interpret the weather signs of the earth and sky, but you don’t know how to
interpret the present times.
57 “Why
can’t you decide for yourselves what is right? 58 When you are on the way to
court with your accuser, try to settle the matter before you get there.
Otherwise, your accuser may drag you before the judge, who will hand you over
to an officer, who will throw you into prison. 59 And if that happens, you
won’t be free again until you have paid the very last penny,”