Saturday, September 22, 2018

UNPROFITABLE SERVANTS

Today’s Reading: Luke 17-18

Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion on the right-hand side).

 

This is a millstone from the time of Christ that was uncovered in Capernaum on the north shore of the Sea of Galilee.

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where Reynold took the photo, click HERE.

Key Verses: Luke 17:2 & 10

It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones…

So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.’

 

Imagine the millstone pictured above hung around someone’s neck. Imagine that person with the weight of that stone being cast into the sea. Jesus presented very graphic word pictures. Jesus goes on to teach that if someone sins against us seven times in one day and says to us, “I repent,” we are to forgive that person. All this is humanly impossible. No wonder the disciples said to Jesus, “Increase our faith.” Jesus’ response to this request is as follows: First, take the tiny mustard seed faith we already have, and take authority over the mulberry tree and its roots. Get rid of any unnecessary thing that would take up space in our lives so that we’ll have more room for an increased level of faith. Second, consider ourselves “unprofitable servants.” Being small in our own eyes will leave more room for an increase of faith. Check out 1 Samuel 15:17 and 2 Corinthians 12:7-10.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, I’m getting rid of anything that would clutter up my life. Please help me to identify the “mulberry tree.” Also, Lord, I humble myself before You and consider myself an “unprofitable servant.” Please fill the additional space now available with an increase in my faith in You. Thank You Lord! In the Name of Jesus I pray, Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

I will never forget one of our frequent guests on the 100 Huntley Street telecast, the late Dr. John Wesley White. He was a native of Saskatchewan, an associate evangelist with Billy Graham, and a PhD from Oxford University. The very first time on air with me he looked into the camera and said to the viewers, “God has given you a guarantee that if a person will simply pray, ‘God be merciful to me, a sinner,’ that precious person will be made right with God.” I believe that millions have been justified as a result of humbly praying that prayer (Luke 18:13-14). Another guarantee from God is found in 1 John 1:9: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Yours for the sure knowledge that we are justified before God by believing and acting upon His Word  (“Mustard seed” faith is simply enough faith to do exactly what God tells us to do in His Word!!!),

David (the man who goes way over his 100 words, particularly in the P.S. below)

P.S. Here’s more on the historical accuracy and reliability of the Scriptures. The writer of 14 books of the Greek language New Testament Scriptures, the Apostle Paul, had a name change. Before his conversion to Jesus Christ (Acts 9), he was known as Saul of Tarsus, the fiercest enemy of the new movement of believers in Jesus Christ. He was educated by Rabbi Gamaliel, who was the grandson of Rabbi Hillel, perhaps the most famous Rabbi of all time. Saul had access directly to the High Priest. He asked for, and received, letters of authority to imprison, and even kill, followers of Jesus (Acts 7:58, 8:1).  He approved of the stoning execution of the early church deacon, Stephen. As a person of obvious Jewish religious power, he would have followed closely all the events over the three years of Jesus’ ministry and been aware of Jesus’ teaching, crucifixion, and reported resurrection. His rage was no doubt fuelled by the frustration at not being able to refute any of Jesus’ miracles, particularly Jesus’ resurrection from the dead!!! Therefore, after Saul of Tarsus’ conversion, we find Saul/Paul verifying all the historical records in his writings and teaching!!! Luke, the historian of a 60-70 year period from the birth of Jesus onward, was the constant travelling and ministry companion of the Apostle Paul. It is my firm conviction that if all Luke wrote was not accurate, and if the dozens of places in Paul’s writings where he references Jesus’ life were not reliable, Luke and Paul would have been contradicted by the Jewish historian Josephus, or one of the other contemporaries of Paul with whom he had been educated who had not been converted to Christ. No such contradictions exist!!! Think with me about these P.S. comments. My young friend, Dr. Jeremiah Johnston, has a goal in life – making Christians into thinkers and thinkers into Christians. You can visit his website here.

5 thoughts on “Saturday, September 22, 2018

  1. Blessings to all have a great day, for those who are suffering or downhearted, I pray the Lord will met our needs. Eleanor M.

    Mhttps://m.youtube.com/watchv=vg5qDljEw7Q

  2. Blessings to you Eleanor!
    I have a good time just putysing around at home or at church or at a flower garden somewhere! I enjoy that time!
    went to get pictures developed, not successful HOWEVER saw a beautiful lady I hadn’t seen in years, talked with Doreen, will be 90 on Oct 10th. I thanked God for her good health, and prayed that God would continue to bless her.
    On the way home it was POURING picked up walking. His name is Ernie,42 years old,has found a job in one city and has to go back some 40 miles to pack up things and move to where job is;I thanked God for his job;he has no criminal record,no booze/drugs,just smokes;not married,no children;I prayed the Lord would remove this habit from him;I drove him 12 miles then he went to catch a ride further into his town,I thank God for these people;I pray that Lord will watch over them both;TY Lord for this day

  3. So much to absorb in to days scripture. Praise God for His precious Word, and His Great Love for us!!
    What David has to share is always meat for the day together with the Word of God!
    Have a glorious day!!

  4. HELP HELP HELP
    please pray to the Lord and ask Him where did I put that brown envelope with a letter regarding pension……I can’t find it…..where did I put it Lord? Where.

    prayers of thanksgiving for a neighbour who spent 3 hours cleaning up my computer and getting it to work again! WOW! he is a natural at this kind of work and I am so thankful to God for his help! He is a Christian so it was nice to share some conversation…..I found it very helpful to have someone to talk with

    please also pray for the Lord to send me the right room mate! I had a real nice person one time, very responsible,respectful,name was Ross, but he married my neighbour. would like someone like him again, money to go on loan, Lord hear our prayers amen

    • Lord Jesus I come before on behalf of Sah, and her prayer request, I ask for Your intervention on her behalf, for a room-mate suitable for her need, and for peace of mind for her in all she does. In Your Mighty Holy Name, Jesus I pray! Amen!

Leave a Reply to Eleanor M. Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.