1 John Bible Sketches

Who’s in darkness?

 

Who’s in light?

How does darkness become light?

Who loves others perfectly? Nobody, but Jesus. The bright hope we have is, He and His Father sent the Holy Spirit to adopt us into the Church Family where we’re welcomed to hear about the power of God’s grace turning us from darkness to living in Light. God unconditionally loves us even though we haven’t loved Him back. Our Savior’s total-act-of-giving rescues us from the corruption of sin and its consequences. He didn’t have to do this and we didn’t deserve it. Christ’s birth, innocent human life, crucifixion, resurrection and ascension puts us in a right relationship with Our Father in Heaven. In the Light, we show our love for God by loving other people.

1 John 1:8

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 1 John 1:8

 

We cannot free ourselves from our sinful nature. 

Not owning up to our sinfulness is like calling God a liar, because His Word clearly states that we are sinners. Everyone in the world is self-centered to one degree or another. Complications show up when, rather than confessing Truth, asking for forgiveness, and praying for strength to trust Jesus alone, we 

• wrongly make excuses for selfishness
• unjustly blame another person for our own problem
• fake ignorance to all the ways we fall short of God’s standard of perfection
• are mislead by ideas of false doctrine
• disregard what He’s given us to know, even at the most basic level
• pick only what we like, not caring about the full context of God’s Word
• try to add our good work as a way to earn salvation, as though Christ’s work isn’t enough
  
• shirk responsibility to follow advice of true doctrine
  
• attempt to usurp authority
• devise our own schemes
• falsely claim our ideas are superior to the fullness of God’s Word
• manipulate others to agree with out-of-context twisted ideas, then criticize whoever objects to doing things my way

The Holy Spirit forgives and opens eyes of faith for us in the water of Baptism. 

Jesus, God’s Word and Grace for us brings Truth, repentance and forgiveness. 

Human nature would minimize, deny or ignore our own problems. People falling for worldly plots are focused on satisfying selfish desires at all costs. Anti-Christs in the world reject their accountability to Christ; they’re always trying to tell us God is not love and the Church is unnecessary. 

To avoid being sucked into lies, it’s essential to hear Truth over-and-over. The Spirit stirs us to listen and speak God’s Word, also, love and pray for enemies by the grace of God. By faith, we have genuine conversations about how situations in our lives connect to the Word of God. The Church is established to teach the faith and administer the Means of Grace. Thankfully, God is faithful to bless people who confess Truth the Bible teaches. Jesus finished the work necessary to take away guilt. He cleanses us from damaging words and deeds committed against us, too! By the faith given us, we long to be truthful about what sin is. Getting spiritual, mental, emotional and physical help we need is a step to take. Confident the work and suffering of is Christ for us, frees fear of the day of judgement. The faith keeps us from looking down at our own navel; instead, points us to recognize opportunities to love people with focus upward and forward to forever in eternity with our Lord.

1 John 1:8-9

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:8-9

 

Grace and forgiveness is God’s answer for dealing with our messiness.

More than giving up His place in heaven to be born as a human to take the punishment on the cross, dying for the sins of the whole world, Jesus is currently interceding for us as our advocate with the Father. If we reject Jesus, we choose God’s merciless wrath. Christ is the singular necessary appeasement to Our Father’s disgust over imperfection. The Holy Spirit sustains the faith we must have to be rescued. Receiving God’s mercy shows we belong to Him and are open to the Holy Spirit working in our lives by fighting against sin.

Perfectly keeping God’s ways is done in Christ who is sufficient for our salvation. We’re free to acknowledge our desperate need for help to grow up and act like we should. Striving to live as though we really care about everything the Good Lord’s telling us, we want to do better. We do not want to make a practice of habitual sin. By the faith the Spirit provides, we learn to be thankful, praying for opportunities to promote the Gospel, and that the Holy Spirit will open hearts. We long to see the people we love in heaven, place them in the Lord’s loving care, and trust His promises. The Counselor guides everyone who desires help by effectively revealing the Word throughout the world. By grace—love, joy and peace flow from Christ through us.

1 John 2:2

He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. 1 John 2:2

Pride isn’t inline with our Creator’s design. 

Not receiving Christ’s help because of pride is the most dangerous sin. Pride works hard to distract people from the faith. There will be a time we will meet our maker, when no more healthy choices are available, no more opportunity to turn to Jesus in repentance. When we die, or on the Last Day, all people will bow and answer to whether they trust Jesus or not. Being proud, in various ways, is tied to falling for lies circulating among the rulers, authorities, cosmic powers over this present darkness, and the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. When our pride isn’t repented in the faith, it reveals the fact that we’re fine with the idea that we think and act like we know better than God. Prayers said in this faithless state-of-mind are ineffective. God looks past the arrogant who depend on their good deeds to earn a place in heaven, as well as those who flippantly sin without regret. Faithlessness ruins His generous loving plan for us through Christ. There’s no in-between or half-way connection to salvation—we either trust Jesus or trust ourselves. Thankfully, it’s not our place to make a statement on where anyone else stands with God. In His patient timing, He’ll judge whether, or not, there’s saving faith in our hearts.

And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. 1 John 3:23

1 John 4:4

Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 1 John 4:4

God is love; the devil is overcome by the blood of Jesus.

Since we can’t see spiritual things on our own, the Righteous Light that’s already shining through Jesus, clarifies it for us. In our darkness (which everyone still has), we either come to know God as a dear Father, use His Word to show us sin, recognize it as a condition to humbly request mercy; or, we fear punishment—gladly indulge and celebrate sin, plus, affirm the way of lies. We wander from living in love when we hold pride of life, bitterness, resentment and grudges. The Lord desires we look to the cross of Christ. The faith has power to transform and bring us back again-and-again, every time we fail and repent. He doesn’t force it; if we refuse Him, that’s on us. 

Satan is a killer, a liar who’s always trying to bring eternal death by tempting, blinding and steering us away from Truth of Christ’s grace. Test what you hear and see in this world against the Truth of God’s Word. Don’t be surprised when people hate you for remaining in God’s grace. If the devil can get us to hate, he can motivate us do things which are against the compassion Christ is trying to work in us. When God’s Word is abiding in us and we repentantly stick with Him and the Church, Satan’s minions can’t trap us in the evil claws of perpetual sin, squash the faithful spirit given in Baptism, or steel the certain joy of Christ’s victory for us.

1 John 4:19

We love because he first loved us. 1 John 4:19

 

Love and certain hope of eternal life.

All who receive spiritual eyes of faith believe Jesus laid down His life for us. The Holy Spirit is at work reminding about gifts of the faith: Baptism in Christ and The Lord’s Supper. Those who are humbly living in Truth, seriously embrace the Word of God as an extraordinarily excellent way to be pointed toward caring about what Jesus did for us. God’s love empowers us to, gratefully, lovingly be generous with gentle respect toward others.  

Love is perfected in us when we turn, in love, toward others—ready to be hated by those who refuse the Gospel—praying the Holy Spirit would fill everyone with the faith which sees each person as one for whom Christ died. Constantly repenting and turning toward God for strength to do this, we back away from harmful thoughts, words and deeds. The faith helps us recognize and resist evil in this world. Refusal to make a practice of sinning is for our own good and the good of others. God answers each plea for mercy and gives all good things for us when we ask according to His will.

The Gospel doesn’t make us sinless—it lights the path securely grasped onto God who is love. The Spirit of Truth gives us repentant confidence in mercy. Free to take cover in His protective peace, we press forward to a day when all sadness, pain and sin is removed. Seeing Jesus face-to-face, we’ll take on His full glory. The faith excites us about loving each other now into everlasting life! Content being held by Christ’s scarred hands, we’re calmed, comforted by our Creator who is always caring about us. Energized with a purpose to smile, we breathe in grace and breathe out the Spirit of encouragement to others.

More

• 1 John
• Intro
• Radio
• 17 Studies
• 30 Minutes 299, 300, 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306
• Sing it!
  

2 Corinthians Bible Sketches

How does power in weakness work?

Can God’s “no” have purpose?

What’s beyond control to change?

Who or what keeps you humble? Emotional, relational, spiritual, mental and physical strengths sometimes turn to weaknesses. Confronting and trying to fix problems may aggravate, not solve matters. Our Creator knows how uniquely we each look at and interact with situations. We can’t perfectly fix everything for ourselves or for everyone else. Do you know why? It’s because we are not God.

Jesus cares and protects. 

Faithfully hearing those who trust Him and making messy prayers presentable, Christ’s humility is humanity’s answer to peaceful living. This combination of God Himself becoming man—His perfection of innocence, endurance of unjust cruelty and crucifixion, then resurrection and ascension to heaven— provides us with repentance, forgiveness and salvation. The faith given to us makes opportunity to be healed by Spirit of Truth’s encouragement to crave His Word, the precise tool He uses to build up the souls of sinful people. Rich instruction and promises instill insight for living safely and patiently while waiting for Jesus to return. Correction and comfort flow from God’s supportive people who are mercifully forgiven, trained and strengthened to share gratitude, experience and understanding.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. 2 Corinthians 1:3-5

Forgiveness is God’s fix for the brokenness of the world. We’re free to share the joy of humbly receiving and applying Christ’s generosity of grace.

so you should rather turn to forgive and comfort him, or he may be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. So I beg you to reaffirm your love for him. … Anyone whom you forgive, I also forgive. Indeed, what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of Christ, so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs. 2 Corinthians 2:7-8,10-11

“2:11 outwitted by Satan. To misuse the process of discipline as some legalistic punishment or some method of humiliating a repentant sinner would turn Christ’s Church into a cesspool of self-righteousness. Paul warns against this satanic twist. his designs. Satan plans and purposes to destroy congregations. ‘He provokes the world against us, fans and stirs the fire, so that he may hinder and drive us back, cause us to fail, and again bring us under his power’. (LCIII63)” The Lutheran Study Bible     

Surpassing power belongs to God.

Acting on temptation makes messes which cling to us in the chaos of this world. Inability to make change, convince others of a better way, sort out thoughts, correct mistakes and refine choices to the state of perfection God designed for Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden cause frustration, knowing time is short and death will claim each of us. Our battle isn’t with people; it’s with the devil who wants to bring us down, tear us apart so to wreck faith which would help us live harmoniously. Motivated to eternally separate us from God, demons are always tempting and distracting us. Careless human nature listens to Satan’s lies. Falling for the temptation to base salvation, partially or fully, on self-reliance denies the saving Truth.

Jesus will have the last word on the Last Day. 

We are created to instinctively know what Christ taught is morally good and right.

We should repentantly be disgusted by every error, including reluctance to rely on God’s grace that allows us to adore Him above all else. Jesus teaches us what to say when we pray.

“Christian life is not a practice in perfectionism. Rather, it is a life of dying and rising, lived under the cross of Christ, in the continual forgiveness of our sins” Read, or listen, more by Kyle G. Jones

We’re called to act on the nudges of our Almighty God who offers the power of saving faith through opportunities at Church and in daily devotions. God’s eternal perspective desires that each of us would turn to Him regularly to get a supply of strength which trusts Christ’s work sets us apart for forgiveness, protection and rest. Peace flows from the wounds of Jesus, our brotherly advocate who pleads our case before our Father in heaven.

Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, 2 Corinthians 3:5

And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18

2 Corinthians 4:7

But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 2 Corinthians 4:7

“Don’t let Satan use trivial quirks or quarrels to close your ears to the glorious and powerful Word of your Savior, the One to whom the ‘power belongs.’” Read more by Dr. Jane L. Fryar

Our Creator supplies forgiveness for us.

God knew we’d need it and designed how forgiveness happens. He’s not satisfied with what we mistakenly think will make us right with Him. Jesus actually became sin for us to perfect us by giving us His own righteousness and calling it ours. For our sake, God considers Jesus, who never sinned, to be the greatest sinner.

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

for we walk by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7

From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. .… For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:16-19,21

“Forgiveness Is Not a Layaway Plan … forgiveness does not originate from repentance; it originates solely from Christ. … Should you repent of the wrong you’ve done? Of course. You must. Should you continue to repent as you struggle to un-love that ex-sin? Of course. You must. You will never repent enough. You will never repent sincerely enough. But forgiveness is not based upon having enough repentance or having sufficiently sincere repentance. Absolution is based entirely upon the atoning work of Jesus Christ. His atonement is enough. His sacrifice was perfectly sincere. His blood covers not only the sin of which you repent, but your imperfect repentance for that sin.” … Read more by Chad Bird

On being told the Gospel, genuine faith

• reaches out the hand for more
  
• rejoices
• accepts it as Truth
  
• puts confidence in it
• draws comfort
• by grace becomes righteous in the sight of God
  

2 Corinthians 6:2

For he says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 2 Corinthians 6:2

Now, not later!

We pray we won’t take God’s offer for forgiveness lightly. Our Creator loves us and for our good He was born to sacrifice Himself to save the world. In baptism, He adopts us as His own. Gifts of Word and Sacraments increase our love, warm and soften our hearts. Talk about an encouraging win-win situation! Gratitude has us wanting to share the Gospel with other struggling friends and relatives so they might receive the Holy Spirit and be saved, along with us, in eternity with Jesus.

The source of Christian hope is not by chance based on us or someone else—it is certainly based on Jesus. 

Walking with Jesus, we share His love, forgive and make the best of situations with His help. We prayerfully commend to the Lord’s care those who do us harm, stubbornly refuse to forgive us and reject our love. We cannot, yet Jesus clearly sees within hearts. He faithfully removes sin and directs the path of those who trust Him. We pray, Lord have mercy on us all.

2 Corinthians 6:18

and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.” 2 Corinthians 6:18

 

Children depend on a capable adult to bring them up with a healthy mind, body and spirit through disciplines of instruction and grace. 

All God’s children depend on their Heavenly Father for righteousness to live in the world, while not of the world. The Great Teacher Jesus was born to save us, supplies confidence that, by the faith given and received, we’ve been separated from the unbelieving world. The Almighty One wants a loving relationship with us, yet allowing us to think for ourselves, He doesn’t force us to believe His Word. He knows the difference between, “I’m sorry” and “I’m sorry I got caught”. Jesus teaches us to love—not only those who are easy to love—but also our enemies by praying for those who reject and hurt us.

For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. 2 Corinthians 7:10

Has God said, “no” to a prayer request of which you expected a “yes”? 

He works in mysterious ways, higher and more complex than our own. His Word does two things:

1. Shows us our sin
2. Shows us our Savior Jesus

We may trust He always answers prayer according to His good and gracious will.

So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 2 Corinthians 12:7

2 Corinthians 12:9

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:9

Grace is sufficient.

The thorn of weakness benefits when Truth is made known and received. While conceit and pride keep worry alive, hardships reveal that we don’t control things, God does. 

For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:10   

Life’s challenges, including helplessness to overcome death, lead us to lean on Jesus in prayer.

Concerns, failures, sorrow and grief of losing loved ones to death—or for whatever reason we can’t understand—we bring it all to the Lord in humble honesty. Though not deserving grace, we are free to ask to be forgiven, calmed and refreshed with new confidence. 

Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves to you? It is in the sight of God that we have been speaking in Christ, and all for your upbuilding, beloved. For I fear that perhaps when I come I may find you not as I wish, and that you may find me not as you wish—that perhaps there may be quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder. 2 Corinthians:19-20

Are you looking for opportunities to help others within the family of faith?

First, remember our help comes from the Lord who encourages us by the Gospel. From Christ’s Church, we take home a dependable boost of power, rest and peace in being fed at His House, His Table, week after week getting a glimpse of what’s next while we patiently wait to behold the full glory of God when Jesus returns! 

It’s not about us, it’s all about Jesus who is preparing a place for us in paradise and keeping us secure in gladness and joy that looks forward to eternity.

Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.…The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. 2 Corinthians 13:11,14

Check out more on 2 Corinthians: 

• Intro
• Forgive the Sinner
• Godly Sorrow – Worldly Sorrow
• Reconciled Reconcilers
• Forgiveness Is a Choice
• What was Paul’s ailment?
• God’s Grace is Sufficient
  
• Faith is … Living Life as a Procession of Triumph
  
• Delays in the life of Paul 
• Let’s Take a Walk
• The Race of Faith: Continuing to Train … A God-Pleasing Aroma

Luke Bible Sketches

Questions or answers?

 

How can loving visits and conversations effectively add value to relationships?

 

God’s creative blessing of childbirth is a process in life which He chose to become part of.

Elizabeth had been about five or six months along when her virgin cousin Mary miraculously became pregnant with Jesus who was conceived by God to save us! After a long journey our Savior traveled in the womb of His mother Mary, they finally arrived at Elizabeth’s home and their conversation began. Elizabeth’s own unborn baby John (who would become John the Baptist) leaped within her womb at the sound of Mary’s greeting! By sense of Who Mary was carrying, Elizabeth’s important question, “why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” applies to all humanity! Mary answered with a song! Blessed cousins Elizabeth and Mary were filled with the Holy Spirit. Their concerns were cared for as they celebrated life, by faith, in each yes and amen. They experienced miracles, believed and trusted the Lord. Mary’s visit lasted about three months. [listen to more about the visit]

Luke 1:41-43

In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? Luke 1:41-43

 

Why should Jesus come for any of us?

Still today we see conception and childbirth as types of miracles of life beginning in an imperfect place. Each and every one of us needs a Savior from sin, death and the power of the devil, whether we admit it or not. Glory to Jesus who is The Answer given for us! He willingly, humbly, and perfectly obeyed our Heavenly Father’s loving purpose so that each of us may trust His work for our salvation.

Before and after birth, the Maker of all things provides everything we need. Wondrously, we were fed through a cord that connected us to nutrients from our mother. Strength came to tiny muscles by swimming and kicking within mom’s womb. If she went to church, we went along and our tiny ears heard hymns and the spoken Word of God flowing through her body and spirit. Medical teams with God-gifted skills began guiding our transition from cord to breast to solid food. 

Upon you I have leaned from before my birth; you are he who took me from my mother’s womb. My praise is continually of you. Psalm 71:6

Ever since the fall from perfection, everyone ever conceived (except Jesus) has inherited sin. All newborns and people of any age need to be rid of it, but we cannot accomplish that on our own. We can’t even claim or decide to love our Creator on our own without faith that is given to us by nutrients we receive from the Word of God. God commands Baptism for all people (Matt. 28:19) for forgiveness of sin, rescue from death and the devil, and to bring salvation to all who believe. Unbelievers will be condemned (Mark 16:16). God wants everyone to be saved and to fully understand the truth (1 Tim. 3:4). Baptism is the life-giving, grace-filled process of receiving water in the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5-8). The Holy Spirit fills us with desire to follow and trust the Word which answers our questions about the beautiful Light given to and for us. An adult’s greatest work is raising infants up to study God’s Word. Praying, holding dearly the precious promise of eternal life given by the merit of Jesus, we cling to the saving Word for spiritual growth. Throughout our lifetime of repentance, dying to sin in Christ’s righteousness and purity, we look forward to be raised as He was raised (Romans 6:4)! Learn more about the baptism of Jesus, how it is tied to His death, resurrection, and ascension in which He blesses His people forever.

Luke 6:28 

bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. Luke 6:28

 

Can we expect to have an intimate relationship while pretending to know what is on another person’s heart, without asking and listening? 

Giving someone a great (or weak) answer, repetitively, isn’t the best way to communicate if a question wasn’t asked. When we’re stuck, wondering how to get unstuck, we do well to remember the onus of our own sin does not fall on anyone else. 

The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father, nor the father suffer for the iniquity of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself. Ezekiel 18:20

Our Creator knit each individual together in our mother’s wombs without a cookie cutter. We’re created to think and take personal responsibility as capable adults. Sin tempts us to get out of these duties. We ought to pray, Lord, have mercy on me, whenever we’ve fallen for temptations. We each have marvelous (and terrific) differences. One person needs help and another person is equipped to help (if the connection can be made). One commonality we do have is that each of us are loved by God. Rather than being the harshly rigid answer-person, why not pray first, then ask a number of questions such as what is on your heart? or how can I pray for you? to discover what’s beyond ourselves? 

We are created to bless one another which, ideally, occurs when a mutual desire to understand each other exists. In a sinful world, we can expect people refusing to grow in God’s love will abuse of His gift of relationship as it was designed to be full of grace. All humans lack complete goodness. Each of us have a degree of selfishness which we may not even recognize in ourselves. Emotional, spiritual, mental and physical illnesses weigh us down, more than necessary, when we leave God out of the picture or give Him only a tiny space in the canvas of our lives. It’s quite possible one or more people will curse you or abuse you because you trust Christ and maybe they don’t very much, or at all.

Beautiful restoration happens as honest prayerful faith receives Jesus’s blood, sweat, and tears He gladly paints into each of our messy work-in-progress lives. 

God cherishes each one of us as His own beloved children when He sees us connected to His Son. Jesus took all kinds of human abuse, even crucifixion, then victoriously rose from death and sits with Our Father Almighty. He teaches, mediates and gives peace in the middle of our troubles and failings. Christians gladly receive grace, mercy, forgiveness, protection, comfort and friendships; plus, Jesus says we have the benefit to pray for those who mistreat us. Praying for someone is a wonderful way to love them. Christ is full of compassion for those who trust Him to remove fear concerning curses, abuses and all difficulties of this life including illness, even death.

“Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace” Luke 8:48

Luke 7:50

And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” Luke 7:50

 

Can you relate to the faithful, tearful woman who loved Jesus and came to Him? 

Jesus didn’t put this sinful woman down, make a scene, use power to control her, or abuse her in any way. He noticed this woman’s gratitude, her love that came from being forgiven much. Rather than pointing out disappointment over her many sins, Jesus held her up and praised her sorrow, honesty and actions. He was delighted to pardon her. Her situation was utilized to teach the proud, outwardly religious, critical man about contrition, faith and the fruits of repentance. Jesus doesn’t oppress, belittle, tend to be harsh, punish, hurt, and refuse kindness; He forgives, encourages, and gives peace. What a tender example of genuine love!

“Human beings can destroy the body but not the soul.”—Lutheran Study Bible on Luke 12:4

Luke 12:6-7

Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows. Luke 12:6-7

 

Who do you trust?

If you’ve ever been condescendingly told that you were worth nothing, that you cannot be forgiven or someone’s love won’t be shared with you unless you fulfill that person’s certain conditions and desires—ouch, that hurts badly. Let go of those false words by looking to Jesus who sweat blood and poured out His compassion for you at the cross to protect you from lies. Well-recorded in the Bible by several witnesses, Jesus uses simple illustrations to express Our Heavenly Father’s love and the incredible value He gives sinners whom He redeems. If you wonder what you are truly worth, look at your Creator and the price He paid to save you and everyone. Jesus’s grace is sufficient for mercy and goodness.

He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 18:9–14

Luke 21:33

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. Luke 21:33

 

The teaching of Jesus was, is, and always will be true.

The Word is Truth, Wisdom and Creator of all things. Not to be ignored, He promises to return and is making all things new. The Almighty God warns us not to worry or be dulled by concerns of the world; instead, worship, pray, and watch yourself so that you are prepared for the unexpected Last Day. Today, the Word is still spoken and is growing among those who hear and share it. If you need a boost, or if you’ve never looked into being built up by the Word, please, get into it because your life depends on it. I pray you will discover how connections with Christians help you through difficulties of this life and point you to certain hope in the everlasting future God wants for us together with Him.

Luke 23:26-43

And as they led him away, they seized one Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and laid on him the cross, to carry it behind Jesus. And there followed him a great multitude of the people and of women who were mourning and lamenting for him. But turning to them Jesus said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. For behold, the days are coming when they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren and the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’ Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us,’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us.’  For if they do these things when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?” Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments. And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!” The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.” One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:26-43

 

Jesus desires relationship, knows us well and prays for us. 

Jesus walked with and asked His friends questions as a way to teach. He was and still is the perfect listener. On our journey with Truth, we are gently reminded us of His love and God-given time. We can ask ourselves if we are taking opportunity to be curious about sins of prodigality, pride and hypocrisy. During this period of grace, we may evaluate ourselves as the sinners we are, repent and come to know Christ’s humility, generosity, mercy and kindness. True worship is given to us for forgiveness and to strengthen faith as we receive Close Communion. We sing praises and thank the Lord by working and sharing.

And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. Luke 22:19

Salvation comes through the human person Jesus who also is all-powerful, all-knowing and everywhere God. It is finished. The destruction and the power of Satan will never hold back forgiven believers from eternally loving Jesus in paradise.

“Some days seem long though life is brief. And death is waiting like a thief. When vision fades and dreams go dry, we will on unseen things rely.” —from an excellent hymn: I AM Forever WHO I AM 

Links listed alphabetically

• Abuse  
• Cadillacs
• Domestic Violence
• Forgiveness
• Humility 
• Is It Abuse?
  
• More forgiveness
• Omnipotence
• Persistence
• Priority
• Self-Worth
• Thanks
• Transformed
• Video summary

Pray

“O God, by Your almighty Word You set in order all things in heaven and on earth. Put away from us all things hurtful, and give us those things that are beneficial for us; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. (C62)” Treasury of Daily Prayer

2 Chronicles Bible Sketch

Humble + pray + turn = healing

The Holy Spirit nudges God’s people to humbly pray with thankfulness flowing from our hearts.

“if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14 ESV Bible marker sketch hand lettering

But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:5 ESV

Healing blessings are provided by God

Humbleness is power the Holy Spirit gives believers to

• know the value of Christ’s suffering
• take responsibility
• say: I am sorry
• get unstuck from the mud of all sin—ours and those committed against us
• reject temptations to stay in or return to that wrong place
• seek Christ for mercy, shelter, protection and safety
• pray and have prayers heard
• receive cleansing and freedom
• listen to other’s perspective: thoughts, feelings and experiences
• take time to process situations
• have compassion
• be merciful
• be genuine 
• be content with not knowing all the hidden things of God
• take comfort in Truth
• have confidence of the presence of God within
• push forward in joy during both good and hard times
• be motivated by a pure heart made holy by Christ
• receive inspiration to share hope in Jesus

Our Creator promises to listen to repentant prayers of believers who seek Jesus. His beloved Son sacrificed out of love for us, was born, lived perfectly, suffered, died, then rose from death and ascended victoriously, so by grace, sinners are saved from punishment deserved. Christ intercedes for all who seek Him—and repeatedly—now until God’s judgement for eternity in heaven or hell. Power to trust the Word, receive forgiveness, embrace grace, healing, hope and peace is beyond understanding—it is a gift of faith.

Read or listen to

• A relevant devotion about The Courage of Jehoshaphat 
• An excellent sermon titled First and Foremost
• A Hymn Jesus, grant that balm and healing

Pray

Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for welcoming us to have personal conversations with You. Help us listen for Your prompts to seek You in every situation and in the beautiful sanctuaries where congregations gather to hear Your Word and receive Your gifts. Thank you for opportunities to attend Church for communion with all believers. Reside in our hearts to equip and motivate us to share Your love. We look forward with joy to the Last Day when Your saving love brings perfect healing of the world You created and unites all believers with You for eternity. Amen.

Exodus Bible Sketch

God is in the details of the ten commandments [God is love]

“Where the heart is right with God, all the other commandments follow.” —Dr. A. L. Barry

God is love—pure, patient, self-giving, desiring all to be saved.

• Listen to Issues Etc.’s excellent discussion about Love. 
• Read a short post, God’s Passionate Love!
• God’s ten commandments invite us to abide in Him, for our good and the love of others.

The cross of Jesus in Bible verse sketch “You shall have no other gods before me.” Exodus 20:3 ESV

What are small-g-gods all about?

Grappling: The First Commandment and Six Idols (The Ten Commandments)  (open link, then click on picture to start short video about idolatry)

Sins make life difficult, meaningless, or dull; they take priority over praying, thanking, praising, revering, listening to His Word, singing hymns and worshiping God. Our Lord Jesus brings forgiveness, healing, peace and joy to those who confess and repent of sins (realized) as well as the sins which may be evident to others (and God) though we may not recognize. A few examples are

• spending time or money unwisely or miserly
• neglecting to attend to needs of others
• avoiding opportunities to share the Gospel
• poor response to others when they commit sins against us
• blame-shifting, denial or refusal to take responsibility for sins
• manipulating people and situations
• impatience
• the list goes on…

Dimensions of how deeply our sinful nature (unhealthy connection to other gods) affects others is beyond what we can accurately measure or explain. We get boxed into rigid perimeters other sinners place around us or we build walls around ourselves and others. We cannot free ourselves from sin preventing us to think outside our own little boxes.

The Holy Spirit gives believers power to resist temptations, lies, vices of Satan, the world, and our fallen nature which promote an inclination to abuse or give excess praise, focus, reliance on

• things we consume and places we go—confused about what [we think] we “deserve”—we sometimes forget to thank our Creator who provides skills and opportunities which allow us to generate income to afford these items and pleasures
• ourselves—selfish, prideful, stubborn, wants, worries, negativity, mistrust in the Lord 
• work—falsely thinking it “earns” God’s favor
• control—which is not ours to impose on others
• people in our lives:
  —having an unrealistic expectation of perfection
  —assuming to be understood by a person without communicating with him/her
  —unforgiving lack of compassion toward one who seeks to be heard/forgiven
  —demanding of or using someone for our own glory and gratification

Our Heavenly Father provides the Word to help us offer forgiveness and compassion toward those He placed for us to humbly love, lead, support, nourish, cherish and protect.

Being able to forgive others (pastor, teacher, parent, spouse, sibling, child, grandchild, friend, co-worker, etc.) isn’t like a light switch that is turned on and off—it is a process that takes time. We may never forget the sins, yet with the help of God we can and it is good for us to

1. confess our own sinfulness
2. have empathy toward ourselves and those who sin against us (if they are willing to communicate, listen to their fears, desires, misplaced trust)
3. because of what Christ has done, we can forgive self and people who sin against us even if they do not ask to be forgiven

Don’t lose heart!

God opened the Way to freedom and saves many who abide in Truth. His Word teaches us to ask for His will to be done and enables us to receive His forgiveness and goodness. Generously and mercifully he

• feeds our hunger
• directs our focus
• protects and delivers us from evil
• heals the brokenhearted
• shows kindness
• comforts us in sorrows
• levels—makes a smooth path by still waters for our thirsty souls
• leads us to Himself and a life of repentance
• walks with us
• forgives, washes, cleans up after us, turns us around
• allows us to receive and fully trust His mercy
• provides us capacity to share mercy with others
• creates peace and goodness

Pray: dear God of Love, we praise and thank You for this Good News! Guide us that we may generously forgive, show mercy, share and receive compassionate love. Amen.

“…as far as the east is from the west…” Psalm 103

Gracious God sketch of the cradled Christ, crown of thorns, cross of Christ, Easter lilies, risen sun (Son of God) with rays of hope, water of baptism, trees of the field—doodled during a bible study class.

Our Creator is so gracious!

While we were yet sinners, He pours the Holy Spirit into our hearts—we receive this gift in the water of baptism and by hearing His Word.

Our Heavenly Father frees and saves repentant sinners through the sacrifice of Christ Jesus, our Precious Treasure who

• is true God and true man
• was tempted
• never sinned
• suffered
• died by crucifixion
• was buried
• rose from the dead
• ascended to heaven
• intercedes for us

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8-9, ESV (whole chapter)

Are you looking for a Bible with helpful extras? 

Check out The Lutheran Study Bible.