Luke - Lesson 9

GOD'S LOVE FOR PEOPLE

Luke 15: 11-32

...My son was dead, but now he is alive again! He was lost, but now he is found.

So they began to celebrate.

Mothers and Fathers have the God given ability to love their children - no matter what their faults are.

God sees us with the eyes of a Father. He sees our blemishes, our faults, our errors and still loves us. He knows the value of people. He knows that each of us is a treasure and because of that we are a source of joy - not a source of stress.

Our loving Father forgives us of our sins and will cleanse us from any thing we have done wrong. God offers salvation to everyone. If you find yourself judging others, remember that God loves them.

Jesus told these parables to correct the Pharisees misconception about God. They show that God loves all people and wants everyone to come to Him. God doesn't play favorites and rejoices when anyone turns to him.

vs. 7 In the same way, I tell you there is more joy in heaven over one sinner who changes his heart and life, than over ninety-nine good people who don't need to change.

'On Ya ' - ma

Luke - Lesson 8

TRUSTING GOD

Luke 12: 22-34


Jesus said to his followers, So I tell you, don't worry about the food you need to live, or about the clothes you need for your body. Life is more than food and more than clothes for your body. Look at the birds. They don't plant or harvest, they don't have storerooms or barns, but God feeds them. And you are worth much more than birds. You cannot add any time to your life by worrying about it. If you cannot do even the little things, then why worry aobut the big things. Consider how the lilies grow; they don't work or make clothes for themselves. But I tell you that even Solomon with his riches was not dressed as beautifully as one of these flowers....But seek God's kingdom, and all the other things you need will be given to you...Your heart will be where your treasure is.

When God doesn't do what we want, it's not easy. Never has been . Never will be. But faith is the conviction that God knows more than we do about this life and he will get us through it.

Remember disappointment is caused by unmet expectations. Disappointment is cured by revamped expectations. We need to know that God is still in control. Lifes' mishaps and tragedies are not reasons to bail out, but to sit tight and let God remind us that He is in control.

Whenever we are tempted to be worried, we should pray.

I'm praying lots and lots for all the dear ones in the south that have been devastated by the hurricane . Some of my own children are included in the devastation. At this time they don't know if their home is still there. But they are sitting tight and waiting. The good Lord will provide for them. This we know. This is our faith. They are safe and that's a blessing in its self!

Thank you Lord !

'On Ya' - ma

Luke - Lesson 7

PERSISTANT PRAYER

Luke 11:1-13

Vs.2

So, He said to them, When you pray , say:

Our Father in Heaven,

Hallowed be Your name

Your Kindom come.

Your will be done

On earth as it is in heaven

Give us day by day our daily bread

Vs 8

So I tell you, ask, and God will give to you.

Search, and you will find. Knock, and the door will open for you.

Through our insincerity and and lack of interest, sometimes we give up on prayer very easily. God never gives up on us, even though we give up on Him. We should follow the example of Jesus and pray honestly, persistantly and faithfully.

Every day I say the same prayer. I like to think that it's not so much repetitious as it is persistant. I ask our Father to protect and guide those dear to me, my family and friends. I ask for healing for my granddaughter, I ask for protection for our Troups and guidance for our goverment leaders and our President and I Praise and Thank him for the many blessings I've received. Oh, and I ask that he bless our enemies with a change of heart. Every day starts off with this prayer. Some days I also pray for special things, like the hurricane or sometimes I also just say a big THANK YOU for an answered prayer.

Our blessed Lord has answered many prayers for me and I trust and believe that He answers them all -- in His own way and His own time.

A.S.A.P

Aways Say a Prayer!

'On Ya' - ma

LUKE - LESSON 6

BELIEVING IN JESUS

Luke 9:18-27

One time when Jesus was praying alone, his followers were with him, and he asked them, Who do the people say I am...Peter answered, You are the Christ from God.

The immensity of this question is staggering. Many have looked at Jesus, but few have seen him. Only a few have dared to say I believe that you are the Son of God.

When we believe in the Son of God we want to follow him. Sometimes we are scared of the risks and costs involved, but His Word teaches us that any sacrifice we make will be well worth the eternal reward. So we take our focus off the things of the world and place our hopes in spending eternity with Him.

Sometimes it is difficult to express why we believe in Jesus. Why we believe he is the Son of God . I was fortunate enough to be raised in a Christain home and was taught from an early age about the Love of God and that He gave His only Son to be sacrificed for us. I also believe in the Trinity - The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are one in three persons. This mystery is beyond comprehension, but by Faith - I believe.

Galations 2:20

Paul says, I was put to death on the cross with Christ, and I do not live anymore -- it is Christ who lives in me. I still live in my body, but I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave his life to save me.

Ask and He will refresh your faith !

Please pray today for all those in peril from the storm. May our dear Lord calm this terrible hurricane and protect and guide all those living in harms way. We ask all things in His Name, thy will be done Lord.

'On Ya ' - ma

Luke - Lesson 5

OBEYING GOD'S WORD

Luke 8: 4-15


A farmer went out to plant his seed.
While he was planting, some seed fell by the road. People walked on the seed, and the birds ate it up. Some seed fell on rock, and when it began to grow it died beause it had not water. Some seed fell among thorny weeds, but the weeds grew up with it and choked the good plants. And some seed fell on good ground and grew and made a hundred times more.

...the seed is God's message.

Only when we reach a point where we solumnly place great store upon what He says will it ever become a powerful source in our lives.

God chose to articulate himself to us in 4 ways:

Through the natural created universe around us

Through His Word expressed by inspired men who reported it in human language

Through the person of Jesus, the Word made flesh

and through other men and women whom He designs

It is our responsibility to recognize when He speaks to us

He demands our total concentration, not any half hearted attempt.

When we do what He asks, this is faith in action -- the faith of obedience.
This is to hear the Word and have it come alive.

He plants good seeds in us so that a harvest that delights Him can refresh others.

Hebrews 4:12

God's word is alive and working and is sharper than a double edged sword. It cuts all the way into us, where the soul and the spirit are joined, to the center of our joints and bones. And it judges the thoughts and feelings in our hearts.

Life is difficult. Little more than endless series of problems. We can moan and groan bout them or face them. We can teach the next generation the disciplines involved in accepting and solving them.

Each one of those problems is a God appointed instructor ready to deepen your walk with Him. Growth and wisdom await as you find the solution to each one.

Sometimes I'm like a seed not planted in good ground, I pray that I'll be planted anew each day and grow to be what our good Lord wants me to be.

'On Ya' - ma

Luke - Lesson 4

CHRIST'S COMPASSION

Luke 7: 11-23

At that time Jesus healed many people of their sicknesses, diseases, and evil spirits, and he gave sight to many blind people....Those wo do not stumble in their faith because of me are blessed.


There were two crowds that day - one leaving and one arriving. The group leaving was a mother going to bury her son, just as she had buried her husband. Now she walks alone. Jesus had compassion on this mother. He gave her son back to her alive!

The group arriving was one that had followed Jesus . They witnessed as Jesus choose to give this son back to his mother. His great love saved this mother from her loneliness. May our hearts too be filled with compassion for the sick and the lonely.

Matthew 9: 35-36

Jesus traveld through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the Good News about the Kingdom, and healing all kinds of disease and sicknesses. When he saw the crowds, he felt sorry for them because they were hurting and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

To a Jew, carrying on the family line was extremely important. Sons were considered the ultimate blessing from God. For this mother to be left without her husband and without any sons would have made her pain and grief all the more intense.

I have been blessed with 6 sons and now I have 5 grandsons. The family line will continue on for many years. Yet , I did almost loose one son and I thank God everyday for his compassion to allow him to live . I don't think it matters how many, each one of my sons is as dear to me as the next. I know I didn't think about the family line dying out when I faced the fear that I might loose one of my sons.

Each day I pray to God for the protection of all my family and that God will guide them and lead them home. Each one of my children must live their own life and hopefully that will be a life that in the end will lead them home to God.

'On Ya' - ma

Luke - Lesson 3

PRAYER THAT STRENGTHENS

Luke 5:1-16

Vs 12

At that time Jesus went off to a mountain to pray

and he spent the night praying to God.

He placed his weary self before the throne and rested. We don't know exactly what He did or what he said. But we do know that He prayed. Jesus did not try to go it on his own. Why should we? When we are tired, weary, in need of help, we too should pray. There are mountains we cannont climb alone.

We can pray in times of joy or heartache, confusion or calm . When we face difficult decisions,all we need to do is turn to God for guidance.

Deuteronomy 4:7

No other nation is as great as we are. Their gods do not come near them, but the Lord our God comes near when we pray to him.

The more pressure we're facing, the more we feel that we don't have time to pray. Look to Jesus' example. He dealt with more stress than we could ever imagine, yet found it necessary to pray and made the time to do so.

We should learn from His lesson.

'On Ya' - ma

Luke-Lesson 2

FAITH AT WORK

Luke 5:17-26

One day Jesus was teaching the people and many came from miles around as Jesus had the power to heal people. Some men with a paralyzed man came and tried to bring him in, but they couldn't get in so they went to the roof and lowered him down through the ceiling.

These men did what any of us would do for a friend. They took risks and got their friend to someone who could help him. This is what faith does. It gives us the strength we might not usually have to do things beyond what we would normally do.

Faith does the unexpected and FAITH gets God's attention

Jesus not only healed this man's body, but healed his soul by forgiving his sins. God knows that the body is only temporary, but what is inside a person lasts forever.

When we look at people we often look at the outward appearance. Our concern should be with what is inside. Just as when others look at us, do they see a fashion statement or someone that is loving and caring.

May we always seek God and demonstrate our faith in Him.

Mark 11:24

So I tell you to believe that you have received the things you ask for in prayer, and God will give them to you.

Just Believe,

'On Ya' - ma

Beginning a new study - Luke / Lesson 1

It seems far too long since my summer bible study ended and although it's not fall yet - I'm starting a new one...

HOPE IN GOD

Nearly 2000 years ago a doctor named Luke wrote a letter to his friend.
Luke and Theophilus shared two loves. A love for Christ and a love for facts. So Luke begins to sort and report the facts to his friend. He wanted his friend to know the truth.

Luke 1:5-25

The story of a priest named Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth who did everything the Lord commanded and were without children and both of them very old.

The angel Gabriel appeared to Zechariah and told him that they would have a son, John.

Elizabeth concieved and said 'Look what the Lord has done for me...'

We all have hopes and dreams just as these two did. When God surprises us with an unexpected gift sometimes we have a hard time believing it's really true. It takes great faith to believe what we can't explain.

Sometimes we think we aren't good enough to have God fulfill our deepest desires. We should have hope and trust in God's perfect timing and rejoice in His goodness.

Psalm 42:5

Why am I so sad?

Why am I so upset?

I should put my hope in God

and keep praising him,

my Savior and my God.

I own lots of different Bibles and I love studying them all.
For this study I'm using the Life Lessons from the Inspired Word of God

The Inspirational Bible
the New Century Version

general editor Max Lucado

'On Ya' - ma