There's a plank in your eye ! (Luke 6:41)

Luke 6:41

New International Version (NIV)

 
 

⁴¹ “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?



 
 
Jesus doesn't mean we should ignore wrongdoing, but we should not be so worried about others' sins that we overlook our own. We often rationalize our sins by pointing out the same mistakes in others. What kinds of specks in others' eyes are the easiest for you to criticize? Remember your own "planks" when you feel like criticizing, and you may find that you have less to say.



 
Joe

























 

Your faith affects others. (Luke 5:18-20)

Luke 5:18-20

New Living Translation (NLT)



 

¹⁸ Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a sleeping mat. They tried to take him inside to Jesus, ¹⁹ but they couldn’t reach him because of the crowd. So they went up to the roof and took off some tiles. Then they lowered the sick man on his mat down into the crowd, right in front of Jesus. ²⁰ Seeing "their" faith, Jesus said to the man, “Young man, your sins are forgiven.”



 
It wasn't the paralytic's faith that impressed Jesus, but the faith of his friends. Jesus responded to their faith and healed the man. For better or worse, our faith affects others. We cannot make another person a Christian, but we can do much through our words, actions, and love to give him or her a chance to respond. Look for opportunities to bring your friends to the living Christ.




 
Joe











 

What an example of service ! (Luke 4:38-39)

Luke 4:38-39

New Living Translation (NLT)


 

³⁸ After leaving the synagogue that day, Jesus went to Simon’s home, where he found Simon’s mother-in-law very sick with a high fever. “Please heal her,” everyone begged. ³⁹ Standing at her bedside, he rebuked the fever, and it left her. And she got up at once and prepared a meal for them.




 
Jesus healed Simon Peter's mother-in-law so completely that not only did the fever leave, but her strength was restored, and immediately she got up and took care of others' needs. What a beautiful attitude of service she showed! God gives us health so that we may serve others.





 
Joe


















 

Is your faith accepted by your family? (Luke 4:24)

Luke 4:24

New International Version (NIV)


 

²⁴ “Truly I tell you,” he continued, “no prophet is accepted in his hometown.




 
Even Jesus Himself was not accepted in His hometown, Many people have a similar attitude - an expert is anyone who carries a briefcase and comes from more than 200 miles away. Don't be surprised when your Christian life and faith are not easily understood or accepted by those who know you well.




 
Joe








 

Be on guard ! (Luke 4:13)

Luke 4:13

New Living Translation (NLT)


 

¹³ When the devil had finished tempting Jesus, he left him until the next opportunity came.



 
Christ's defeat of the devil in the desert was decisive but not final. Throughout His ministry, Jesus would confront Satan in many forms. Too often we see temptation as once and for all. In reality, we need to be constantly on guard against the devil's ongoing attacks. Where are you most susceptible to temptation right now? How are you preparing to withstand it?




 
Joe

















 

Keep your sword sharp. (Luke 4:1-13)

Luke 4:1-13

New International Version (NIV)

 

Jesus Is Tested in the Wilderness

4 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, ² where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry.
³ The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.”
⁴ Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’”
⁵ The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. ⁶ And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. ⁷ If you worship me, it will all be yours.”
⁸ Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’”
⁹ The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down from here. ¹⁰ For it is written:

“‘He will command his angels concerning you
    to guard you carefully;¹¹ they will lift you up in their hands,
    so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”

¹² Jesus answered, “It is said: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”
¹³ When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.




 
Knowing and obeying God's Word is an effective weapon against temptation. the only offensive weapon provided in the Christian's "armor" (see Ephesians 6:17 below). Jesus used scripture to counter Satan's attacks, and you can too. But to use it effectively you must have faith in God's promises, because Satan also knows scripture and is adept at twisting it to suit his purpose. Obeying the scriptures is more important than simply having a verse to quote, so read them daily and apply them to your life. Then your "sword" will always be sharp.
 

Ephesians 6:17

New International Version (NIV)

 

¹⁷ ... and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.



 
Joe 







 

Don't rely on someone else's faith. (Luke 3:8)

Luke 3:8

New Living Translation (NLT)




 

⁸ Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. Don’t just say to each other, ‘We’re safe, for we are descendants of Abraham.’ That means nothing, for I tell you, God can create children of Abraham from these very stones.




 
Many of John the Baptist's hearers were shocked when he said that being Abraham's descendants was not enough for God. The religious leaders relied more on their family lines than on their faith for their God. For them, religion was inherited. But a personal relationship with God is not handed down from parents to children. Everyone has to commit to it on their own. Don't rely on someone else's faith for your salvation. Put your own faith in Jesus, and then exercise it everyday.



 
Joe