Does your life demonstrate how much you've been forgiven?

 

An unnamed woman demonstrated an unusual amount of care for Jesus. While Jesus was dining with a religious leader, she washed his feet with her tears, dried them with her hair, and anointed him with very valuable perfumed oil. The woman was known to be a "sinner," but Jesus is not heard judging her sins. Instead, he corrects those who were offended by her, by telling a story of what love looks like.
(Lk 7:36-50)

The Mustard Seed parable and you

 

Christ once described His kingdom as a "mustard seed" that becomes a mighty tree (Luke 13:18-19). The seed seems small and insignificant, and even "dies" by being buried and giving up it's initial nature. The invisible work of God alters the self-contained individual piece into a mighty tree that provides for others and produces more of itself through new seeds. In what way is God calling you to change?  

Considering Hell

 

Jesus told a story of a man who finds himself suffering in Hell (Lk 16). The suffering described all stems from the man excluding God from his life. While considering the horrors of Hell, we should also consider that God loved us so much that He allowed His Son to suffer the pain of Hell of for us. Jesus took the Hell we deserve, Rom 3:25. The darkest punishment you can conceiver has been applied to Jesus for you.

Listen up!

  

Jesus often used the words, "He who has ears, let him hear," but while using those words, he also used stories that were not easily understood by the religious leaders (Lk 8:10). It seems like Jesus held back truth for those who really wanted it and were willing to seek him out in private to get it. Do you seek out Jesus today for truth?

What are you filling your barns with?

 

Jesus once told a parable about a rich man who had so much crop wealth, he needed to tear down his barn and build a larger one. The irony of the story was that the rich man would die the next day and never get to enjoy what he had hoarded Lk 12. Are you holding on to more wealth than you need? Have you considered filling your barn with love instead of material gain?

Could you share your love in the face of hate?

 When asked, who we should love (Luke 10), Jesus responded with a story about the "good Samaritan." In the story, Jesus described a man who generously cared for another man, who should have been considered his natural enemy. The story emphasizes the care we should take in loving our enemies. How have you been able to show love to those who seem to hate you?

The God of Weeping and Laughing

A single event can bring tears and laughter. Consider Ezra 3, when the new temple's foundation was laid. The young people shouted for joy with excitement, while the older men wept loudly. We can take comfort in knowing that the God of happy shouting is also the God of great despair. No matter what you are feeling, God should be a part of that experience.