- But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and every herb, and neglect justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. Luke 11:42 – Jesus’ statement here to the Pharisees invites us to ask a similar question of our life. Are there things of the Lord we are neglecting? Even though we may be doing some things as we should, are there even more important things connected to our life with God we aren’t doing as we should? Are we going to church on Sunday, yet not loving our spouse like we should? Do we have a solid Bible app streak, but haven’t had a Gospel conversation with anyone in a really long time. Again, as with the tithing the Pharisees we’re doing, the things we are doing for the Lord are good things that we should keep doing. Yet, is there things that the Lord has called us to do even over other things that we aren’t doing. For sharing the Gospel is of the utmost importance. Loving one another is an essential command. Forgiving as we’ve been forgiven. Yes, go to church and have those Bible app streaks, but if we have those things down yet aren’t loving our neighbor we’re missing the point. Take some time today to reflect on what are some of the essential commands we see Jesus give in the Gospels, then ask how you are doing with those commands. Let’s take a step forward in fulfilling the things that Jesus deemed most important. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 3540
- And if Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that I cast out demons by Beelzebul. Luke 11:18 – This means that even the devil understands the value of unity within his group. Now exactly what that unity looks like and how it’s kept I don’t know, but Jesus says here that even the devil and his army knows fighting amongst each other isn’t going to get them anywhere. I wish our churches were that smart, or at least practiced more of what they knew. Because I know none of you are in a perfect church, hear today’s message clear. You will never move forward fighting against each other. While you can’t stop others, you can stop yourself. Take the first step and you choose to drop your weapons and you choose to stop fighting against your church family. Only then will your church be able to move in the direction God wants it to. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 616
- While Jesus was speaking, a Pharisee asked him to dine with him, so he went in and reclined at table. Luke 11:37 – Jesus was invited to eat with a Pharisee and He accepted the invitation. Now we know Jesus and many of the Pharisees did not always have the best of interactions during Jesus’ ministry. Just read the following verses to know what I mean by that! What is interesting about this though is that despite the rough relationship with the Pharisees and despite knowing what was going to take place that evening, Jesus accepted the invitation. We see this to be true of Jesus in other areas of scripture, whether it’s a wedding feast in Cana or other gatherings, that when He was invited He came. Allow this truth about Jesus to find its way into your relationship with Him. Jesus comes where He is invited. If you invite Him into your life, He will come into your life. If you invite Him into the struggle you’re having with your spouse, or your worry over finances, or your family tension, He will come into those places. If you invite Him to walk with you through your day today or to be with you in this decision-making process, He will come where He is invited. Just keep this in mind, Jesus would most likely of not found Himself at that Pharisees’ dinner table that evening if it wasn’t for the invitation made to Him. While God is everywhere at all times, God is desiring our invitation. He wants us to want His hand and Spirit at work within our story. If then you desire God’s power, peace, and provision within the happenings of your story, invite Him today to be a part of those happenings. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2328
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