God’s House Is a House of Prayer

Scripture: Mark 11: 15-17

On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves,and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’”

Scripture Commentary: God says that his house is a house of prayer for all nations.

How would Jesus react if he walked into his father’s house today? Would he find a house of prayer or a den of thieves? Is the work of our God the focus in our places of worship? Or, are we more concerned with how much money we raise?

Using the church setting as a business draws in more money than it does people.

The purpose of the church, of having a space to come together with fellow Christians and worship our Lord, is to cultivate community and bring in nonbelievers to teach them God’s Word. As instruments in God’s kingdom, we are to bring people to the Lord, to his salvation and mercy.

In these verses, Mark tells the reaction Jesus had when he entered his Father’s house of worship. The question now is would Jesus react the same way today? Are we in a store selling earthy objects or are we engaged in worship in God’s house?

Read the Entire Chapter:

Mark Chapter 11

Wilt Thou Be Made Whole?

Scripture: John 5: 4-6

For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever desire he had. And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole?

Scripture Commentary: “Wilt thou be made whole?”

When Jesus asks, “Wilt thou be made whole,” he is asking you. We live with sickness in our spirits because everyday life makes us forget about Jesus. We get so caught up that we don’t see the cure in front of us.

No matter how trapped you feel in your infirmities, God can minister to your deepest needs. Don’t let a problem or hardship diminish your hope. Have faith.

God has a special job for you in spite of your condition; maybe even because of it. Jesus healed this man both physically and spiritually.

God’s forgiveness is the greatest gift you will ever receive. Don’t neglect his gracious offer.

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John Chapter 5

Call on the Name of the Lord to Be Saved

Scripture: Acts 2: 20-21

The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come: And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Scripture Commentary: We can call on the name of the Lord at any time, and during any situation.

To call on the name of the Lord when we are in need, and living a Christian life can be two different things. When you ask for forgiveness, for salvation, do you change your ways? Do you avoid repeating the behavior that you needed the Lord to save you from? Often times we do not.

We go through life making mistakes but God forgives.

We ask for God’s forgiveness and go on living our lives, not the life God planned for us. We go through life making mistakes. At times we may think God has not forgiven us.

He doesn’t just forgive our first folly; he forgives again and again and again. He promises to forgive us if we are willing to give ourselves over to him and what he wants for us.

Peter was an unstable disciple during Jesus’ ministry. He let his bravado be his downfall, and he went as far as denying Jesus. Jesus forgave and restored him. In the end, Peter became powerful and dynamic. He spread the Gospel.

God will always forgive you.

There is always a place for you in his house as long as you are willing to walk in.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Acts Chapter 2

Follow Jesus and Become Fishers of Men

Scripture: Luke 9: 57-59, 61-62

As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus replied, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” He said to another man, “Follow me.” But the man replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” (57-59) Jesus said to him, “let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” Still, another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.” Jesus replied, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”(61-62)

Scripture Commentary: Are you willing to follow God?

Jesus wants total dedication, not halfhearted commitment. We can’t pick and choose among Jesus’ ideas and follow him selectively. We have to accept the cross along with the crown, judgment, and mercy.

Will you count the cost and be willing to abandon everything else that has given you security?

Focusing on Jesus means nothing else distracts us from the manner of living God set out for us. Our motives become pure and our actions are for the kingdom of God. A wholehearted commitment means putting all of our faith in God. It means making sacrifices that he knows we can make. It means trusting that whatever cost we have to pay is part of God’s plan for us.

We must make sacrifices for our salvation.

In this scripture, Jesus doesn’t teach us to forsake responsibilities to family. He perceives the real motives and excuses behind the men’s words. They were not willing to give themselves over to Jesus fully, and Jesus would not accept them partially.

God gives us eternal life, and in return, he asks for our absolute dedication. In return for his love, he asks for ours. There is a cost to following Jesus. As Jesus sacrificed his life for the forgiveness of our sins, we must make sacrifices for the kingdom of God and for our salvation.

Will you follow God?

Will you walk with God? How dedicated are you to your relationship with Christ?

Read the Entire Chapter:
Luke Chapter 9

Ask, Seek, and Knock on God’s Door

Scripture: Luke 11:9-10

And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

Scripture Commentary: Ask and God shall give it to you.

But, what are you asking for? It seems like we constantly ask God for things. To name a few, we want him to give us houses and cars and money … and forgiveness. How often do you stop and reflect on what God has given you instead of asking him for more?

Before you ask God to forgive your transgressions, make sure that you don’t harbor ill feelings toward others in your heart. Jesus taught his disciples to forgive. But if we cannot forgive others for their transgressions, then how can we expect God to forgive us? Forgiveness is the cornerstone of a relationship with God. Therefore, God has forgiven our sins over and over, so in turn, we must forgive those who have wronged us.

We are all God’s children.

Some are good; however, everyone needs help. As members of God’s kingdom on earth, it is our job guide others to Christ. Ask God to guide you. Let him strengthen your light so that he can enable you to lead others out of the darkness.

God prepares to give us what he knows we need. When we ask, seek, and knock, we receive, find, and open.

Open the door. Find what God has for you.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Luke Chapter 11

Be a Reflection of the Light of Jesus

Scripture: Luke 11: 33-35

No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light. The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body is also full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness. Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness.

Scripture Commentary: What type of light are you?

Today we have different types of light. We have colorful lights, black lights, halogen and fluorescent lights, just to name a few. If someone were to look at you what is the light that they would see? Would there be any light at all?

We all have a light that represents who we are. If we have Jesus Christ in our lives, then the light is bright. Living a life with Satan leaves no light, and we are dark. If we have nothing, then we are neither light nor dark. We are nothing.

Open the doors of your heart and let the light of Jesus Christ shine through

The last one might sound funny, but if you have nothing to show then you do not make any impression on anyone. There are plenty of people that we meet but remember nothing about. We might remember their name or their face, but we don’t remember their job, their hobbies, whether they are good or bad. We don’t remember if we liked them or not.

When you live a Christian life, people will see and know you for who and what you are. By spreading God’s word people will know what you have done. When you open the doors to your home they will know where to find you because your Christian light will be on!

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Luke Chapter 11

God’s Mercy Extends to Those Who Fear Him

Scripture: Luke 12: 4-5

And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.

Scripture Commentary: Fear him who has the authority to throw you into hell.

Jesus told his disciples to watch out for hypocrites who appear good, but their hearts are far from God. If you please our Lord Jesus Christ first, you may not please other people. If you fear opposition or ridicule, you weaken your witnessing for Christ. How can you cling to peace and comfort at the expense of your walk with God?

Do you set up finish lines for yourself? Maybe if you please this person, or acquire this object, or make a large amount of money, you will have it made? This is the path of someone who is lost.

God provides everything you need.

What have you given God in return? When your earthly life is over, you cannot ask God for another chance. God gives you another chance every day that you are alive!

Jesus reminds us to fear God.

God controls eternal, not merely temporal, consequences. Our true value is God’s estimate of our worth, not our peers’. People evaluate and categorize you according to how you perform, what you achieve, or how you look.

Jesus takes you for your love of Him, not for the people around you.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Luke Chapter 12

Believe on the Name of Jesus

Scripture: John 20: 24-25

But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Did’-y-mus, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.

Scripture Commentary: Through faith we believe.

There are many like Thomas in this world today; people who have to see before they believe. If you are a believer, then you do not need proof. Faith is believing in the things you cannot see, and as Christians we have faith in God. Through faith, we feel God’s presence.

Jesus told us he would go to his father, and He would send the Holy Spirit to us.

The Holy Spirit is already residing in you. If you have not accepted Christ, the Holy Spirit is still in you, but it is asleep.

Jesus tells Thomas in verse 29: “Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.”

If you are skeptical, but not stubborn, then read the Bible. Study the Word of God.

Questions are good; they will guide you to answers and answers will give you the truth.

Read the Entire Chapter:
John Chapter 20

God Separates Light from Darkness, Good from Evil

Scripture: Luke 11: 34-36

Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are healthy, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are unhealthy, your body also is full of darkness. See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness. Therefore, if your whole body is full of light, and no part of it dark, it will be just as full of light as when a lamp shines its light on you.”

Scripture Commentary: Turn on the light, and open your eyes to the life you are living!

What do you do when you enter a dark room? You find the light switch. You turn the lights on to see so that you don’t bump into things and risk hurting yourself. Satan is associated with darkness because with him you don’t know where you are or what you’re really doing. Evil desires and actions blur the light of Christ and make it hard to see the path of righteousness.

Jesus can bring you out of darkness if you let him. If you wish to remain in darkness, then you choose Satan over Christ. Without Jesus as your savior, you stumble in life and remain lost. God won the battle over Satan when Jesus rose from the dead.

Why be on the side that already lost?

Come out of the darkness and enter the light of Christ. Feel his love and warmth. He promises to meet all your needs and desires.

Is the Holy Spirit leading you or is Satan working in you?

Read the Entire Chapter:
Luke Chapter 11

Other Scripture Commentaries on the Book of Luke:
Save Yourself Through Belief; Save Others Through Discipleship
I Once Was Lost but Now I’m Found
Lord, Remember Me When You Come Into Your Kingdom

Spiritual Gifts Are Given for the Good of All

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12: 1, 4-7,14, 20-25

Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. (1) There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. (4-7)

Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.(14)

As it is, there are many parts, but one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty,while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it,so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. (20-25)

Scripture Commentary: Bring as many souls to Christ as your gifts allow.

We are of one body in Christ. As one body we work for one goal. We serve our Lord and bring as many souls to him as our gifts allows. If you bring one and another brings a hundred, we are to rejoice for all.

Rejoice when a Christian is honored, weep when one suffers; we are one. Christians exist in the world together. There is no such thing as private or individualistic Christianity.

No one gift is greater than another.

Paul tells us that we all have gifts given from God, and no one gift is greater than another. Your spiritual gift is not for your own self-advancement. Its purpose is enhancing the spiritual growth of the body of believers.

Spiritual gifts build God’s church.

We, the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ, include many types of people from a variety of backgrounds with a multitude of gifts and abilities. All spiritual gifts are from the Holy Spirit and their purpose is to build up Christ, the church.

Read the Entire Chapter
1 Corinthians Chapter 12

For More on Spiritual Gifts
What Are the Different Spiritual Gifts?