Luke 24:13-32 Two Men on the Road to Emmaus

HIS WORDS

And behold, two of them were going that very day to a village named Emmaus, which was about seven miles from Jerusalem. And they were talking with each other about all these things which had taken place. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus Himself approached and began traveling with them. But their eyes were prevented from recognizing Him. And He said to them, “What are these words that you are exchanging with one another as you are walking?” And they stood still, looking sad. One of them, named Cleopas, answered and said to Him, “Are You the only one visiting Jerusalem and unaware of the things which have happened here in these days?” And He said to them, “What things?” And they said to Him, “The things about Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word in the sight of God and all the people, and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him to the sentence of death, and crucified Him. But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, it is the third day since these things happened. But also some women among us amazed us. When they were at the tomb early in the morning, and did not find His body, they came, saying that they had also seen a vision of angels who said that He was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just exactly as the women also had said; but Him they did not see.” And He said to them, “O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into His glory?” Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures. And they approached the village where they were going, and He acted as though He were going farther. But they urged Him, saying, “Stay with us, for it is getting toward evening, and the day is now nearly over.” So He went in to stay with them. When He had reclined at the table with them, He took the bread and blessed it, and breaking it, He began giving it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized Him; and He vanished from their sight. They said to one another, “Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road, while He was explaining the Scriptures to us?" (Luke 24:13–32, NASB95)  

MY WORDS

That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.” And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, but they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them. When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?” 

I WILL

Review all the stories from Creation to Christ that I have learned.

Matthew 4:1-11 (Luke 4:1-13): Temptation of Jesus

Matthew 4:1-11 (Creation to Christ - Discovering God)

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry. And the tempter came and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’ ” Then the devil took Him into the holy city and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written, ‘He will command His angels concerning You’; and ‘On their hands they will bear You up, So that You will not strike Your foot against a stone.’ ” Jesus said to him, “On the other hand, it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ” Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory; and he said to Him, “All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.’ ” Then the devil left Him; and behold, angels came and began to minister to Him.

Luke 4:1-13 (Commands of Christ - Discovering Discipleship)

Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led around by the Spirit in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And He ate nothing during those days, and when they had ended, He became hungry. And the devil said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.” And Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’ ” And he led Him up and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said to Him, “I will give You all this domain and its glory; for it has been handed over to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. “Therefore if You worship before me, it shall all be Yours.” Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.’ ” And he led Him to Jerusalem and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here; for it is written, ‘He will command His angels concerning You to guard You,’ and, ‘On their hands they will bear You up, So that You will not strike Your foot against a stone.’ ” And Jesus answered and said to him, “It is said, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ” When the devil had finished every temptation, he left Him until an opportune time.

7: Birth of Jesus (Christmas)

Another storyteller's version: 

https://vimeo.com/groups/240885/videos/27896621

HIS WORDS: Isaiah 9:2, 6-7; Luke 1:26-38; 2:1-20

MY WORDS: Coming Soon!


I WILL: Coming Soon!

Mark 5:1-20 -- Gerasene Demoniac

HIS WORDS: Mark 5:1-20 

MY STUDY: Great exposition of the passage HERE

MY WORDS

They came to the other side of the Sea of Galilee where the Gerasenes lived. When He got out of the boat, a madman, with an unclean spirit who lived among the tombs and graves in the cemetery, came up to Him. No one could restrain him-he could not be chained up or tied down with ropes because he always broke them. He was screaming in the cemetery and in the mountains on a night and day basis, slashing himself with sharp stones.  

When he saw Jesus coming from a distance, he ran up and bowed before Him and shouted in a loud voice saying, "What is there in common, Jesus, Son of the Most High God, messing with me? I swear to God, do not harass me!" (For Jesus had just commanded the tormenting evil spirit, "Out! Get out of the man!").

Jesus asked him, "Tell me your name."

He replied, "My name is Legion, for we are great in number" (a Roman army legion was anywhere from 3,000-6,600 men). Then the man begged Jesus not to banish him and the demons away out of the region.

A big herd of pigs were feeding on a nearby hill. The demons begged Jesus, "Send us to the pigs so we can live in them." Jesus gave the order and the unclean spirits entered the pigs, and the herd of two thousand stampeded over the cliff into the sea and drowned. 

Those who herded the pigs ran away and reported what happened to the people in the town and country. The people came to see what  had happened. They came to Jesus and saw that the man who had been a demon-possessed madman was sitting down, clothed, and calm. This made them frightened. 

Those who had seen it told others what had happened to the demon-possessed man and the pigs. Then they began to beg him to leave their region. 

As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed was begging to come with Him; but Jesus would not let him. Jesus said, "God home to your own family, relatives, and friends. Tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He had mercy on you." The man went back and began to preach in Decapolis (the region of the ten cities) how much Jesus had done for him, and all the people were amazed.  

I WILL

From my "listening time" with the Lord, God pointed out that I did not give glory to Him for how I came out of the frustration I was in from my freewrite in the last post. I forgot to mention the spiritual dynamic of the day, and how I gave the devil a good swift kick. I believe that most of my problem yesterday was spiritual more than anything else. I will give glory to him by editing my freewrite that I wrote this morning to acknowledge the spiritual dynamics of yesterday. 

Interesting that there were also some spiritual things going on with our friends in Phoenix at the same exact time, and I did not know it until our Skype meeting a few hours later. 

God also pointed out to me that I could be a "low-maintenance" project for the enemy, and that is not His will for me to be so. 

Luke 23:33-43 -- Remember Me

HIS WORDS

When they came to the place called The Skull, there they crucified Him and the criminals, one on the right and the other on the left. 

But Jesus was saying, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” 

And they cast lots, dividing up His garments among themselves. And the people stood by, looking on. And even the rulers were sneering at Him, saying, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if this is the Christ of God, His Chosen One.”

The soldiers also mocked Him, coming up to Him, offering Him sour wine, and saying, “If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself!” 

Now there was also an inscription above Him, “THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.”

One of the criminals who were hanged there was hurling abuse at Him, saying, “Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!”

But the other answered, and rebuking him said, “Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” 

And he was saying, “Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!” 

And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.”

MY WORDS

When they arrived at the place called Skull Hill, they crucified Him with one criminal on His right and the other on His left. 

Jesus prayed, Father, please forgive them; they do not know what they are doing."

The soldiers divided up Jesus' clothes and threw dice for them. The people stood there staring at Jesus, and the ringleaders made faces, taunting and saying, "Jesus saved others. Let's see if He can save Himself! Sure, He's the Messiah of God. Sure, He's the chosen." 

The soldiers mocked Him. They gave Him sour wine and said, "So You're the King of the Jews! Save Yourself!"

There was a sign over Him that read, "THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS." 

One of the criminals mocked Him saying, "Are you not the Anointed One? Save Yourself and us."

The other rebuked him saying, "Do you not fear God, for you will be condemned. We are suffering because we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong." 

Then he said, "Jesus remember men when you enter your kingdom."

He said, "Don't worry, I will. Today, you will join me in paradise."

I WILL

REST because it is "Saturday in the Tomb" day since last Holy Saturday before Easter was anything but restful, I have cleared my calendar to rest and reflect. Thank You, Jesus for meeting me in the very early hours of Saturday morning with a reminder of paradise in Your kingdom!

Luke 18:9-14 -- The Pharisee and the Tax Collector

HIS WORDS

And He also told this parable to some people who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and viewed others with contempt: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and was praying this to himself: ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.’ 

But the tax collector,standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, the sinner!’ 

I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

MY WORDS

Jesus told a story to those who were complacently pleased with themselves over their moral performance and assumed they were in right standing before God because of it and looked down at the common people: "Two men went up to the Temple to pray, one was a religious man called a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee prayed like this: 'Oh God, I thank You that I am not like other people -- robbers, crooks, adulterers, or even like this tax collector here. I fast twice a week; I pay tithes on all my income.'

"But the tax collector was standing a distance away and could not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but kept striking his breast, saying, 'O God, be gracious to me because I am a wicked sinner.'"

Jesus said, "I tell you, the tax collector went back to his home forgiven and in right standing before God, rather than the other man; for everyone who lifts himself up will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be raised to a position of dignity and honor. 

I WILL

Pray and listen to God about this one! :) 

John 8:1-11 - Go and Sin No More

HIS WORDS

But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. Early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people were coming to Him; and He sat down and began to teach them. 

The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery, and having set her in the center of the court, they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in adultery, in the very act. “Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women; what then do You say?” They were saying this, testing Him, so that they might have grounds for accusing Him.

But Jesus stooped down and with His finger wrote on the ground. But when they persisted in asking Him, He straightened up, and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” Again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. 

When they heard it, they began to go out one by one, beginning with the older ones, and He was left alone, and the woman, where she was, in the center of the court. Straightening up, Jesus said to her, “Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?” 

She said, “No one, Lord.” 

And Jesus said, “I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on sin no more.”

MY WORDS

At night Jesus went up to the Mount of Olives (Luke 21:37-38), but at dawn, He came back into the temple court, and crowds came to Him. Then, He sat down and was teaching them. 

The teachers of the law and Pharisees brought in a woman who had been caught in adultery and made her stand in the middle of the group and then said to Jesus, "Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such a woman. What do you say?" They were trying to trap Him into saying something incriminating so they could bring a charge against Him.

But Jesus bent down and started to write something on the ground with His finger. When the religious leaders kept on questioning Him, He straightened up and said to them, "If any of one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." Again, He bent down and wrote on the ground.

At this, those who heard Jesus' words began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman standing there. Jesus straightened up and asked her, "Woman, where are your accusers? Has anyone condemned you?"

"No one, Master," she said.

"Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus said. "Go now and leave your life of sin." 

I WILL (DID)

God clearly showed me a course of action to show compassion with someone but to encourage them not to continue in the behavior, and I am holding them accountable to it. 

Mark 2:1-12 -- Jesus Heals

HIS WORDS

When He had come back to Capernaum several days afterward, it was heard that He was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer room, not even near the door; and He was speaking the word to them. And they came, bringing to Him a paralytic, carried by four men. Being unable to get to Him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above Him; and when they had dug an opening, they let down the pallet on which the paralytic was lying. And Jesus seeing their faith said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” But some of the scribes were sitting there and reasoning in their hearts, “Why does this man speak that way? He is blaspheming; who can forgive sins but God alone?” Immediately Jesus, aware in His spirit that they were reasoning that way within themselves, said to them, “Why are you reasoning about these things in your hearts? “Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven’; or to say, ‘Get up, and pick up your pallet and walk’? “But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—He said to the paralytic, “I say to you, get up, pick up your pallet and go home.” And he got up and immediately picked up the pallet and went out in the sight of everyone, so that they were all amazed and were glorifying God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this.”

MY WORDS

Jesus returned to Capernaum in Galilee, and people heard that He was at home so many of them gathered there to the point where there was no room even near the door, and He was speaking to them.

Part of the people coming were four men carrying a paralytic, but they were unable to get to Him through all the people so they removed the roof above Him and when they had dug an opening they let down the cot th paralytic was lying on.

Jesus saw how much they believed in His power to heal and said, "Son, your sins are forgiven." 

But some of the religious leaders who were sitting there began to say to themselves, "Why does this man speak like that? He is being irreverent to God. Who can forgive sins but God alone?"

Immediately Jesus, aware by His spirit of what they were pondering in their hearts said to them, Why are you reasoning about these things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven': or to say, 'Get up, and pick up your pallet and walk'? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sin" -- He said to the paralytic, "I say to you, get, pick up your pallet and go home."

And the paralytic got up immediately and picked up the pallet and went out of the crowded room so that they were all astonished and glorifying God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this." 

I WILL

Be open to offering healing prayer to anyone He tells me to offer it to without fear!

Luke 15:11-32 - The Prodigal Son

HIS WORDS

And He said, “A man had two sons. “The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the estate that falls to me.’ 

So he divided his wealth between them. “And not many days later, the younger son gathered everything together and went on a journey into a distant country, and there he squandered his estate with loose living. “Now when he had spent everything, a severe famine occurred in that country, and he began to be impoverished. “So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. “And he would have gladly filled his stomach with the pods that the swine were eating, and no one was giving anything to him. 

“But when he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have more than enough bread, but I am dying here with hunger! ‘I will get up and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me as one of your hired men.” ’ “So he got up and came to his father. 

But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. “And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 

“But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet; and bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’ And they began to celebrate. 

“Now his older son was in the field, and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. “And he summoned one of the servants and began inquiring what these things could be. “And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has received him back safe and sound.’ 

“But he became angry and was not willing to go in; and his father came out and began pleading with him. “But he answered and said to his father, ‘Look! For so many years I have been serving you and I have never neglected a command of yours; and yet you have never given me a young goat, so that I might celebrate with my friends; but when this son of yours came, who has devoured your wealth with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him.’ 

“And he said to him, ‘Son, you have always been with me, and all that is mine is yours. ‘But we had to celebrate and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead and has begun to live, and was lost and has been found.’ ”

MY WORDS

And He said, “A man had two sons. The younger said to his father, ‘Father, give me my portion of what I will inherit after you die.’

“So the father divided his wealth between the two sons. Then a few days later, the younger son gathered all his belongings and went on a journey to a country that was far away, and when he got there, he spent all his father gave him living a very immoral life, throwing his money away in extravagant living. When he had spent everything, a severe famine came in this distant country, and he began to be very poor. So he went and got a job feeding the pigs in the field (and Jews do not touch pigs for they are considered unclean). And he would have been grateful to even eat the food the pigs were eating but noone would let him eat. 

“That brought him to his senses. He said, ‘My father’s servants have lots of food to eat, but I am dying here from hunger! I am going back to my father and will say, ‘Father, I have sinned against God and you; I am not worthy to be your son, but can you make me your servant?’ He got up and went to his father.

“When the son was still a long way in the distance, his father saw him and felt nothing but love and compassion for him. So he ran and embraced him and kissed him. The son started the speech he had rehearsed: ‘Father, I have sinned against God and you; I am not worthy to be called your son ever again.”

But the father would not even let his son finish his speech. He called for his servants and said, “Quick. Bring a clean set of clothes and dress him. Put the family ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Then get the grain-fed heifer and put in on the spit. We are going to have a celebration feast! My son who was given up for dead is surely alive! He was given up for lost, but he is now found!’ And they began to party!

While all of this was going on, the oldest son was in the field working. When the day of work was done, he went back to the house. As he approached, he heard music and dancing. He called to one of the houseboys and asked what was going on. The servant told him, ‘Your younger brother has come home, and your father had us roast one of the heifers because he wants to celebrate the fact that his son has come back safe and sound.’

“The older brother walked off very angry and refused to go to the party. His father came out to him and began to plead with him, but the older son would not listen. The son said, ‘I have been so faithful to serve you, always being good and never causing you any heartache, but you have never even roasted a goat and thrown a party for me and my friends. Then this son of yours who has thrown away all your money on prostitutes shows up and you give him a big party feast!’

“His father said, ‘Son, you have always been with me, and everything this is mine is yours – but we had to celebrate and rejoice because this brother of yours was dead, and now he is alive! He was lost, and now he has been found!’”

I WILL

I will write about the experience I had in the shower recently and praise Him as a result.

 I was listening to Jon Thurlow's song where he sings these lines over and over again:

You put the ring upon my finger
You put the robe upon my back
You put your arms around me and say,
"You are my (son), my daughter. Don't forget."

I never even knew this song existed until I was doing listening prayer with a woman, and God gave her the lines to this song so I googled it. It has been my anthem for 2014!

I guess I had never connected that these lines are based on the story of the prodigal son until I did this Jesus Story Discovery Study! God just met me in the shower, and I had such a sweet memory come flooding into my mind of my earthly father:

I was woken up from a very deep sleep in 1981 to answer the call of a person who called at a ridiculously early hour to tell me that she wanted to invite me up to Oregon to live with her. It was a very cold morning, but I had not had time to grab my robe before I came out to answer the call.

While talking on the phone in the kitchen. My father sweetly and gently put his big blue bathrobe over me to warm me.

I still have that robe in my closet, and I will never get rid of it. He died less than four years later, on May 2, 1985. He was such a good earthly example to me of a my heavenly father. He never favored one child over the other. He never treated me like a "prodigal" because I moved to Oregon when I was 19 and never moved back home. He knew I was not a "prodigal" in heart, and I moved because my heavenly Father knew I needed to go there to be found.

When mourning his death in the summer of 1985, God told me, "I took your earthly father to heaven to be with Me so that I could be even more of a heavenly Father to you." 

He has given my His robe of righteousness and sealed me with the ring of His Holy Spirit. He has thrown a big party because I once was lost, but now I am found.

Praise God for His wonderful gift. 

Matt 5:38-48 -- Living Generously and Graciously Toward Others

HIS WORDS

"You have heard that it was said, 'AN EYE FOR AN EYE, AND A TOOTH FOR A TOOTH.' But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also. Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you." 

"You have heard that it was said, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?" 

"Therefore you are to be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect."

MY WORDS

"You have heard it said in Exodus 21:24, 'AN EYE FOR AN EYE AND A TOOTH FOR A TOOTH.' But I say to you, Do not resist the evil man who injures you; but if anyone strikes you on the right jaw or cheek, turn to him the other one too. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your undershirt, let him have your coat also. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to him who keeps on begging from you, and do not turn away from him who would borrow at interest from you (Deut. 15:8)." 

"You have heard it said in Leviticus 19:18, 'YOU WILL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR,' and has been interpreted from Psalm 139:21,22 to 'Hate your enemies," but that is not it at all, we are to love our enemies because they are our neighbors too. Pray for those who give you a hard time or treat you unfairly (Proverbs 25:21). This shows that you are child of God and acting in a way that reflects who you were meant to be in His eyes; in His image. He faithfully gives His best to everyone (even those who reject Him) causing the sun to always rise and the rain to fall on both evil and good people. For if you only love those who love you, what kind of reward is that. That is easy to do! Anybody can do that." 

(Verse 48 is my paraphrase mixed with The Message): 

"In other word, what I'm saying is, Grow up. You are citizens in God's kingdom now. Now live like you are! Live into your God-created identity as that citizen. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you." 

I WILL

Pray for the person from my Prayer Challenge study from yesterday. I have no anger or resentment toward her, (and I should have mentioned that in the freewrite!). I just feel like she has been brought to my mind so that I can pray. I always joke that you better not cross me because that means you get prayed for! :) Commence prayer NOW (before I Skype with Elizabeth for today!)!

MY STUDY

I needed more background on the "eye for eye, tooth for tooth" principle from Leviticus:

This principle has been severely criticized by some as being “barbaric,” but it’s just the opposite. In an age when the legal system was developing, this law made sure that the punishment meted out by the judges was equal to the seriousness and severity of the crime, not more and not less. If the guilty aggressor blinded his enemy’s eye, then his own eye was blinded. Nothing could be fairer. If you broke your enemy’s finger and the court ordered you to be blinded, that wouldn’t be fair at all, because the sentence must fit the crime. The only time this principle was not enforced was when a master injured a slave, and the slave’s compensation was his or her freedom (vv. 26–27).When Jesus prohibited His disciples from retaliating against those who hurt them (Matt. 5:38–44; 1 Peter 2:19–21), He was dealing with personal revenge (“I’ll get even with you!”) and encouraging personal forgiveness. He wasn’t criticizing Moses or interfering with the legal system, because He came to fulfill the Law and not to destroy it (Matt. 5:17–20). As believers, we have the privilege of waiving our “legal rights” to the glory of God and not demanding compensation (1 Cor. 6:1–8). However, a judge has to see that justice is done and the law is respected.

Wiersbe, W. W. (1998). Be delivered. “Be” Commentary Series (120). Colorado Springs, CO: Chariot Victor Pub.

Process of learning to tell this story from today:

Read it once all the way through
Listened to it twice
Read it in another version
Typed it out word for word (or you can write it)
Rewrote it in my own words
Praying through it to listen for God's "I WILL" for this passage.
Wrote an "I WILL" statement
Carried out the "I WILL" (and will continue to through the week)

Tomorrow, I will "story board" it.

John 4:15-26 -- Worshiping in Spirit and In Truth

Nicolas Colombel [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

HIS WORDS

The woman said to Him, “Sir, give me this water, so I will not be thirsty nor come all the way here to draw.” 

He said to her, “Go, call your husband and come here.” 

The woman answered and said, “I have no husband.”

Jesus said to her, “You have correctly said, ‘I have no husband’; for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; this you have said truly.” 

The woman said to Him, “Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet. Our fathers worshiped in this mountain, and you people say that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.” 

Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe Me, an hour is coming when neither in this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers." 

"God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” 

The woman said to Him, “I know that Messiah is coming (He who is called Christ); when that One comes, He will declare all things to us.” 

Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am He.”

MY WORDS

The woman said to Him, "Sir, give me this water, so that I will not get thirsty and will never have to come back this long distance to this well again!" 

He said, "Go call your husband and then come back."

"I have no husband," she said.

"That is true that you said, 'I have no husband'; for you have had five, and the man you are living with now is not even your husband. You have spoken a true statement."

"Sir, I see and understand that you are a prophet [and not just a Jewish Rabbi]. Then tell me this: Our ancestors worshiped God at this mountain [Mount Gerizim - Samaritan place of divinely ordered worship], whereas Jews say it is on the temple mount in Jerusalem.

"Believe me, woman, a time is coming when you Samaritans will worship the Father neither here at this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You Samaritans do not know what you are worshiping. We do know what we are worshiping because, after all, salvation comes from among the Jews.  A time is coming -- it has, in fact, come -- when what you are called [Samaritan or Jew] or where you worship will not matter, but genuine worshipers will worship the Father, engaging their spirit in the pursuit of truth. That's the kind of people the Father is looking out for: those who are genuine and just themselves before him in their worship." 

"God is a spiritual Being and not confined to a specific location (like the Temple Mount or Mount Gerizim) and those who worship Him must worship Him in keeping with God's nature; which is spirit; and truth (and that Truth has come)."

The woman said, "I do not know about that. I do know that the Messiah is coming, who is called Christ. When He comes, we will get the whole story" (Samaritans rejected the Pentateuch so they knew little about Him and thought He was mainly a teacher).

Jesus said to her, "I who speak to you right now AM ("He" is added for understanding but it refers to I AM in Exodus 3:14).

I WILL

Worship Him in spirit and truth this morning as I take my praise walk. Thank you Jesus for making a way for me. 

John 4 -- Samaritan Woman and Living Water

Jacob's Well by David Roberts [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

HIS WORDS

So He came to a city of Samaria called Sychar, near the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph; and Jacob’s well was there. So Jesus, being wearied from His journey, was sitting thus by the well. It was about the sixth hour. There came a woman of Samaria to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give Me a drink.” For His disciples had gone away into the city to buy food. Therefore the Samaritan woman said to Him, “How is it that You, being a Jew, ask me for a drink since I am a Samaritan woman?” (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.) Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.” She said to Him, “Sir, You have nothing to draw with and the well is deep; where then do You get that living water? “You are not greater than our father Jacob, are You, who gave us the well, and drank of it himself and his sons and his cattle?” Jesus answered and said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again; but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.”

MY WORDS 

So He came to the city of Samaria called Sychar, near the land that Jacob gave to his son, Joseph and also where Jacob's well is. Jesus was weary from His journey and was sitting by the well at noon. Then, a woman from Samaria came to to draw water from the well, and Jesus said, "Would you give me a drink of water?" (His disciples had gone to the village to get food for lunch.) The Samaritan woman taken aback and asked, "How come you, a Jew, are asking me, a Samaritan woman, for a drink?" (Jews at that time had no contact with Samaritans.)

Jesus answer and said, "If you knew God's great generosity and who I am, you would be asking me for a drink, and I wold give you fresh, living water." 

The woman said, "Sir, you don't even have a bucket to draw with, and this well is very deep. So how are you going to get this so called 'living water'? Are you better than our ancestor Jacob, who dug this well and drank from it, he and his sons and livestock, and passed it down to us?"

Jesus said "Everyone who drinks this water will eventually get thirsty again, but anyone who drinks the water I give will NEVER thirst again. The water I give will be become of spring of water flowing and bubbling continually within for eternal life. 

The woman said to Him, “Sir, give me this water, so I will not be thirsty nor come all the way here to draw.” 

He said to her, “Go, call your husband and come here.” 

The woman answered and said, “I have no husband.”

Jesus said to her, “You have correctly said, ‘I have no husband’; for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; this you have said truly.” 

The woman said to Him, “Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet. Our fathers worshiped in this mountain, and you people say that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.” 

Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe Me, an hour is coming when neither in this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers." 

"God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” 

The woman said to Him, “I know that Messiah is coming (He who is called Christ); when that One comes, He will declare all things to us.” 

Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am He.”

The woman said to Him, "Sir, give me this water, so that I will not get thirsty and will never have to come back this long distance to this well again!" 

He said, "Go call your husband and then come back."

"I have no husband," she said.

"That is true that you said, 'I have no husband'; for you have had five, and the man you are living with now is not even your husband. You have spoken a true statement."

"Sir, I see and understand that you are a prophet [and not just a Jewish Rabbi]. Then tell me this: Our ancestors worshiped God at this mountain [Mount Gerizim - Samaritan place of divinely ordered worship], whereas Jews say it is on the temple mount in Jerusalem.

"Believe me, woman, a time is coming when you Samaritans will worship the Father neither here at this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You Samaritans do not know what you are worshiping. We do know what we are worshiping because, after all, salvation comes from among the Jews.  A time is coming -- it has, in fact, come -- when what you are called [Samaritan or Jew] or where you worship will not matter, but genuine worshipers will worship the Father, engaging their spirit in the pursuit of truth. That's the kind of people the Father is looking out for: those who are genuine and just themselves before him in their worship." 

"God is a spiritual Being and not confined to a specific location (like the Temple Mount or Mount Gerizim) and those who worship Him must worship Him in keeping with God's nature; which is spirit; and truth (and that Truth has come)."

The woman said, "I do not know about that. I do know that the Messiah is coming, who is called Christ. When He comes, we will get the whole story" (Samaritans rejected the Pentateuch so they knew little about Him and thought He was mainly a teacher).

Jesus said to her, "I who speak to you right now AM ("He" is added for understanding but it refers to I AM in Exodus 3:14).

I WILL 

Pray people from our Sunday afternoon gathering will operate from the GIFT (thinking of Sarah Gayle's talk on joy) of living water that is already inside of them! 

Luke 7:36-50 - The Woman with the Costly Perfume Causes Jesus to Tell the Parable of the Two Debtors

For the next three months, our group is doing a daily Discovery Bible Study on various Jesus Stories during the week and coming together to tell them to each other. We are also telling them to friends. So, ask me to tell you one too! 

HIS WORDS

Now one of the Pharisees was requesting Him to dine with him, and He entered the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. And there was a woman in the city who was a sinner; and when she learned that He was reclining at the table in the Pharisee’s house, she brought an alabaster vial of perfume, and standing behind Him at His feet, weeping, she began to wet His feet with her tears, and kept wiping them with the hair of her head, and kissing His feet and anointing them with the perfume. Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet He would know who and what sort of person this woman is who is touching Him, that she is a sinner.”

Originally uploaded to the english Wikipedia: 05:48, 7 August 2003 by user M123; "My own photo." 8 Roman denarii; left to right, row 1 : ca 157 BCRoman Republic, ca 73 AD Vespasian, ca 161 AD Marcus Aurelius, ca 194 AD Septimius Severus;

And Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he replied, “Say it, Teacher.” “A moneylender had two debtors: one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. “When they were unable to repay, he graciously forgave them both. So which of them will love him more?” Simon answered and said, “I suppose the one whom he forgave more.” And He said to him, “You have judged correctly.” 

Turning toward the woman, He said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has wet My feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. “You gave Me no kiss; but she, since the time I came in, has not ceased to kiss My feet. “You did not anoint My head with oil, but she anointed My feet with perfume. “For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little.” Then He said to her, “Your sins have been forgiven.” Those who were reclining at the table with Him began to say to themselves, “Who is this man who even forgives sins?” And He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

MY WORDS

One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to dine with him, and Jesus entered the Pharisee's house and reclined at the dinner table. Right then, an immoral woman from the village, having learned that Jesus was a guest in the home of the Pharisee, came with a bottle of expensive perfume and stood behind Him at his feet. She wept and her tears fell on His feet, and she kept wiping away the tears with her long hair, all the while kissing His feet and anointing His feet with this expensive perfume. Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him in saw this, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, He would know what sort of immoral person this woman is who is touching Him. She is a sinner."

And Jesus answered and said, "Simon, I have something to say to you."

And Simon answered, "Say it, Teacher."

"A man who lent money at interest had two debtors: one owed him 500 hundred denarii and the other owed him 50 (a denarii was for one day's wages). When they had no ability to pay, he freely forgave the debt of them both. Which one do you think will love him more?"

Simon answered, "I supposed, the one to whom he forgave and canceled the larger debt." 

And Jesus said to Simon, "You have decided correctly." 

Then He turned toward the woman and said to Simon, "So back to your concern about this immoral woman . See her there? When I came into your house, you did not even give Me water for My feet, but she has wet My feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You gave Me no kiss of greeting, but from the time I came here, she has not stopped kissing My feet tenderly and caressingly.  You did not anoint My head with even cheap and ordinary oil, but she has anointed my feet with very rare and costly perfume. Therefore I tell you, her sins may be many, but they are forgiven her - because like the debtor who owed more, she loves more because her sins were great. But he who is forgiven just a little loves just a little.

And He said to her, "Your sins are forgiven!"

But there were those at the table with Him who began to say among themselves, "Who is this Who even forgives sins?

But Jesus said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; enter into peace [in freedom from all the distresses that are experienced as the result of sin]. 

I WILL


Give this story to a friend who is writing a curriculum for women who are struggling with forgiveness (did just as I was posting this). Also I will spend a time of thanksgiving for the "much" He has forgiven me for! Maybe share this (if appropriate) with a friend going through a dry time with Him.