Renew The Mind; Transform Your Life

"WHO IS MY NEIGHBOUR?"

“Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”
A teacher of the Law, seeking to justify himself, triggers the telling of the powerful parable of the 'good' Samaritan.

To put 'good' and 'Samaritan' in the same sentence would have been offensive to Jesus' Jewish hearers as the Samaritans and Jews were bitter enemies.  They are, stereotypically, the 'enemy' - and yet here it is the 'enemy' of the Jews who shows how we define how to love our neighbour.  In equally offensive contrast, the Jews who fail to love their neighbours as themselves are 'heroes' of the faith.  The characters are a priest and a Levite... both of who 'pass by on the other side' - in other words, crossed over the road to go out of their way to avoid helping the stranger.

Jesus concludes:
"Now, which of these three do you think seemed to be a neighbour to him who fell among the robbers?”

He said, “He who showed mercy on him.”

Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”

DISTRACTED WITH SERVING
We can be too busy about good work to hear God or really serve His purpose.  The Levite and the Priest risked becoming ritually unclean by helping the man who was left for dead.  That would have compromised their Temple service and cost them money.  Martha was 'distracted with serving' and so missed the message.

Today, remember mercy is showing help to anyone in need.
And sitting at God's feet to listen is more important than other good chores that need to be done.

Has the Kingdom of God changed?  I'd suggest not.

"He sent them out to preach God's Kingdom and the heal the sick."

God is able to do immeasurably more than anything we ask or imagine (Eph 3:20-21) and now is the perfect time for the Kingdom of God, the Kingdom of Heaven to be manifested even in the West (where some have 'thought' that we don't need the realm of the miraculous provision and protection and blessing of God.)

Jesus sent them out thus, “Take nothing for your journey—no staffs, nor wallet, nor bread, nor money. Don’t have two coats each."

Jesus then feeds the multitude through the disciples.  God still wants to work through us.

Shifting Priorities
"For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses or forfeits his own self?"

We want to be true in our experience: "They were all astonished at the majesty of God."
But there's a cost, “If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever will lose his life for my sake, will save it."

I find this problematic because I am forever looking back, how about you?
"Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plough and looking back, is fit for God’s Kingdom.”"

Does God still have a place for those of us who have 'failed' in discipleship but desire to press into more of God?

Let's rejoice in the fact that this chapter also includes the Transfiguration.  He is great, even if we fail, and, as Ephesians says, "Now to him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to him be the glory in the assembly and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen."

His is the power that works in us; His is the glory.

SO much wealth in this chapter.

1) People supporting those in ministry - even Jesus accepted support.  That would be nice.  This ministry is always in danger of ceasing to publish because it lacks support from those who benefit from it.  This surprises me.  Some support would be good.  Zero support is questionable.  Is it really worthless?

2) The reason why some of us don't get our prayers answered - the Parable of the Sower.  The Word doesn't always work.  You might be along the road, or on rock with no moisture or root, or among thorns which choke the Word.

It is a Mystery of God's Kingdom.  The seed is the Word of God.  It isn't guaranteed to bear fruit.
Satan, as is his nature, steals much of it.  Some of us have no root... so we wither when circumstances contradict the Word.  We can be choked with cares, riches, and the pleasures of life and bring no fruit to maturity.

Do you have an honest and good heart?  Do you hold onto the Word 'tightly'?  Will you produce fruit with perseverance?

3) The Storm comes as soon as you share revelation knowledge.  But Jesus says, "Where is your faith?"  God expects much more from us than we may have preached.

4) A woman who had spent all her living on Physicians FOR TWELVE LONG YEARS got her healing from Jesus in an instant.  Even Jesus didn't know who had drawn on His power by faith.  This is phenomenal.  Faith drew on results aside from begging prayer.  BIG Pharma is evil.  It is focused not on healing but on profit for its stakeholders.  Jesus' blessing makes well, and He adds no sorrow with it... but we need to find Churches where the Power of the Spirit is present.  That discounts about 99.95% of UK churches.

"Someone did touch Me for I perceive that power has gone out from Me."

Do you have faith to draw upon the power of God that is available?

5) God doesn't need PR.  Jairus' daughter was healed but Jesus commanded that no one be told what He had done.  Jesus speaks a language beyond 'reality'.  "She is not dead but sleeping."  Let us put a watch on our mouths.

On Authority and Compassion, Worship and Gratitude
Oh, how I love listening to the Gospel of Luke.
In this chapter, we begin with a healing and a resurrection with no reference to sin but rather a specific reference to 'unworthiness'.  If you are feeling 'unworthy' of God's blessing, learn a lesson from the Centurion.  God's Authority triumphs over a sense of unworthiness.

THE CENTURION
“Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I am not worthy for you to come under my roof. Therefore I didn’t even think myself worthy to come to you; but say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man placed under authority, having under myself soldiers. I tell this one, ‘Go!’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come!’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned and said to the multitude who followed him, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith, no, not in Israel.” Those who were sent, returning to the house, found that the servant who had been sick was well. [End quote]

This shows an understanding of the Authority of Christ and also of true worthiness for the religious elders regarded this Centurion as 'worthy' because he'd built the synagogue.

THE WIDOW OF NAIN
I really love this.  No prayer.  No faith.  Just the unilateral compassion of God for a suffering woman who'd lost her son.  Read it and let your heart sing.

Notice how Jesus sends a message to comfort John the Baptist, reflecting back what He'd preached from Isaiah 61:1-2.

WORSHIP FROM A SINNER, AND GRATITUDE
Whilst there is SO much to share from this chapter, space here is limited.  Let's highlight the worship of the woman who was a 'sinner'.  She washed Jesus feet with her tears, wiped His feet with her hair, and anointed his feet.  Notice it was the religious leader who brought up the issue of 'sin' NOT Jesus.

"Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.”  Gratitude should flow from the hearts of those who, like us, know that we are forgiven much.

GRATITUDE
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Daily Bread for 6th July: God is Kind

This chapter has had such an impact on me. 

Recently, the significance of this verse is especially meaningful:

"...and you will be children of the Most High; for He is kind toward the unthankful and evil."

If you've ever wondered why a good prayer, in alignment with the Scriptures, nevertheless seems unanswered, a doubt can often arise that you're 'good enough'.  See here, God's own word that even if you were 'unthankful' and 'evil' He would still be kind to you.

The Gospel is Good News - and often not in the way we would think.  Stay faithful and meditate on the Nature of God, then your focus will be in the right place.

“Therefore be merciful,

    even as your Father is also merciful.

Don’t judge,

    and you won’t be judged.

Don’t condemn,

    and you won’t be condemned.

Set free,

    and you will be set free.

“Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be given to you. For with the same measure you measure it will be measured back to you.”

#biblereading #dailybread

GOD'S GENEROSITY

There is literally not enough space here to effectively share the many messages in this wonderful chapter.  I can point, however, to what stood out for me.

1) God is Generous
Having asked to use Peter's boat, God 'pays back' (even though He owes us nothing) by such a large catch of fish that it nearly sinks two ships.  Compare this beginning of Peter's discipleship with his restoration into ministry after another miraculous catch of fish at the end of John's gospel.

Notice that Peter falls at Jesus' knees.  The boat was SO full of fish, he couldn't fall at Jesus' feet.

2) God is willing to heal.  “Lord, if you want to, you can make me clean.”  Without hesitation, Jesus touches the man full of leprosy, and says, “I want to. Be made clean.”

3) Jesus 'recharges' by praying in solitude.

4) Faith can be seen through actions - like friends who will tear off a roof for you!  Faith can be seen through corresponding action.

5) Healing is a visible demonstration of the forgiveness of sins - if we still have sins to forgive, there is still a place for healing.

6) God loves sinners - even Tax Collectors!

7) It's time for New Wine... again.

"Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil."
Luke 4, on this Independence Day, reminds me of two of the key aspects of the Disciples' or the Lord's Prayer. Jesus knows what we're made of! Luke 4 begins with the Power of the Holy Spirit and immediately the devil attacks.

This is something that frequently happens to Christians who are beginning to walk in the Spirit. Any sensible enemy would seek to crush such strength before it was fully developed - and thus the devil comes to tempt Jesus.

Jesus' responses are key to our future success, though I strongly suggest we should get in line with the Family Prayer and pray, "Lead us not into temptation."

1) We will never live the abundant life on material resources alone:
“It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.’”

2) Seeking our own glory and authority, and seeking worldly success is off-course:
For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and you shall serve him only.’”

3) It's 'tempting' to try our Christianity to see if it works.  
“It has been said, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’”

At the launch of His Synagogue ministry, we have another "It is written..."

"It was written,

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted,
to proclaim release to the captives,
recovering of sight to the blind,
to deliver those who are crushed,
and to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.” quoting Isaiah 61:1-2

This chapter, thus, is a clash between the Living Word of God and evil in the forms of the devil, prejudiced 'religious' people, unclean spirits, healing, and fever spirits.

The Kingdom of Heaven breaking in on the occupied territory of the kingdoms of this world, is a dramatically 'active' Kingdom. Time for The Kingdom of God to be active again!

Daily Bread: Luke Chapter 3 - Setting the Scene

We meet John the Baptist entering into his ministry, Jesus being baptised and blessed by the Father, and Jesus genealogy - all setting the scence for Jesus forthcoming ministry.

JOHN'S ROLE

"He came into all the region around the Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for remission of sins. As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet,

“The voice of one crying in the wilderness,

    ‘Make ready the way of the Lord.

Make his paths straight.

    Every valley will be filled.

Every mountain and hill will be brought low.

    The crooked will become straight,

    and the rough ways smooth.

All flesh will see God’s salvation.’"

JESUS BAPTISED

Now when all the people were baptized, Jesus also had been baptized, and was praying. The sky was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended in a bodily form like a dove on him; and a voice came out of the sky, saying “You are my beloved Son. In you I am well pleased.”

JESUS TEACHING

"Jesus himself, when he began to teach, was about thirty years old..."

In tomorrow's reading, we'll begin to understand Jesus' ministry and His teaching.