Day 296

Perean Ministry, cont.

2. From the Feast to his withdrawl, cont.

- Talks to the disciples (D-14)

    *God's care - Luke 12:1-12

    *Parable of the rich fool (P-12) - Luke 12:13-21

    *Trust in God's providence - Luke 12:22-34

    *Parable of watchful servants - Luke 12:35-48

    *Christ to cause division, chides for failure to interpret signs - Luke 12:49:59

- Galileans are slain by Pilate - Luke 13:1-5

- Parable of barren fig tree (P-13) - Luke 13:6-9

- Jesus heals woman on Sabbath - Luke 13:10-17

- Various parables and discourses

    *Kingdom likened to mustard seed - Luke 13:18-21

    *Question asked whether few are saved - Luke 13:22-30

    *Reply to Herod's threat - Luke 13:31-35

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Luke 13:34 - '...as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings...'


Now that I have raised chickens and watched a mother hen, this portion of scripture has more meaning to me.


This makes me think of how Father uses examples like this, and other scriptures to remind us of HIS desire to protect and provide for us.


Mat 11:28  Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 


Psa 18:2  The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. 


Psa 17:8  Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings,


Psa 61:3  For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.


Psa 91:4  He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

Psa 61:4  I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings.

Thank you Lord that you are a shield and buckler to Your people.  That in You we have refuge to help in time of need.  Help us Lord to ever seek YOU and YOUR guidance in times of trouble, trials and tribulations.  Help us Lord to remember that only by YOUR sovereign grace are situations and circumstances allowed to happen in our lives to purify and draw us ever closer to You.

Day 295

Perean Ministry, cont.

1. To the Feast of Dedication, cont.

- The good shepherd (D-11) - John 10:1-21

- Christ at Feast of Dedication (instituted in Maccabean times) - John 10:22-38

2. From the Feast to his withdrawl

- Withdrawl from Jerusalem to Bethany beyond Jordan - John 10:39-42

- Discourse

    *Prayer (D-12) - Luke 11:1-13

    *Demon cast out. Various topics discussed (M-27) - Luke 11:14-36

    *Woes against the Pharisees (D-13) - Luke 11:37-54

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John 10:42 - And many believed on him there.


This wasn't what originally caught my eye as I read through - but as I perused for margin notes or underlines, the verse made me stop and ask, what did they believe?


What does the word believe mean?  Thank you Lord for online study resources!


believed - G4100 - From G4102; to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), that is, credit; by implication to entrust (especially one’s spiritual well being to Christ).
     ~ G4102 - From G3982; persuasion, that is, credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon Christ for salvation; abstractly constancy in such profession; by extension the system of religious (Gospel) truth itself.
          ~ G3982 - A primary verb; to convince (by argument, true or false); by analogy to pacify or conciliate (by other fair means); reflexively or passively to assent (to evidence or authority), to rely (by inward certainty).


Which reminds me of the question Jesus asks of the apostles.


Mat 16:15  He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?


Peter answers in verse 16:  "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God."


and...


John 6:67  Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?


To which Simon Peter responds:  "Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life."


Thank you Father for Your eternal gift of life - for the ability to believe and know that Jesus Christ is the son of the Living God and who has the words of eternal life.  May that knowledge and precious gift be evident in the lives of Your people - manifested to those who are blind and deaf by Your grace.

Day 294

Perean Ministry
1. To the Feast of Dedication
- Final departure from Galilee - Luke 9:51-56
- True dedication - Matthew 8:19-22; Luke 9:57-62
- Mission of the seventy - Luke 10:1-24
- Parable of the good Samaritan (P-11) - Luke 10:25-37
- Visit to Martha and Mary - Luke 10:38-42
- Healing of the man born blind - John 9:1-41


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'...he spat on the ground and made clay of the spittle...'


I have to admit this gave me a chuckle...having boys - well, spit is just part of bringing them  up.  I pondered, did the blind man know Jesus made clay from the spit?  Usually someone with a deficiency in one sense, the remaining ones are more enhanced.  Did he hear him?  Did Jesus anoint his actual eyes or the eyelids?


This made me think of how God is the potter and we are the clay.  Also, how HE formed Adam from the dust of the earth.


I wondered how many other times did Jesus use spit in healing someone?


Mar 7:33  And he took him aside from the multitude, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spit, and touched his tongue;


Mar 8:23  And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and when he had spit on his eyes, and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw ought. 


Spit and touched his tongue?  Spit on his eyes?  Gill's commentary on the tongue is very good.  Too long to post here, but can be viewed online.  I find it interesting, the spit, whenever it is used, is not really the means of the healing.  Jesus only had to say a word to provide healing in other situations, there is obviously some significance to why HE would use (or appear to use) physical means.  :-) Intriguing.


The blind man:  What a testimony.  Under pressure of being dis-fellowshipped or excommunicated, the former blind man, stands his ground and speaks truth about the Messiah.

John 9:31-34  Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.  Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind.  If this man were not of God, he could do nothing. They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out. 

Doest thou teach us?  Heaven forbid that someone who is not as well studied or theologically instructed dare speak to us.  I have concerns that this attitude prevails in the Bride today.  If Father can open the mouth of a donkey to speak, he can use those who are 'unlearned' to speak forth HIS truth just as well.

Lord, help me to NOT disdain someone simply because of their upbringing or lack thereof, to treat with respect and honor all those clay vessels which You have shaped.  You, and You alone, know ultimately whether a vessel is for honor or dishonor.

John 9:35-38  Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God?  He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him?  And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee.  And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him. 

Lord, help us to stand firm not only against the world, for which we are most often prepared to defend ourselves; but against the Pharisees of the religions and denominations. of this age.  Lord if you have 'found' us and given us the ability to believe in You, help us not to be swayed to the right or left, but to be steadfast in serving You and giving You all the honor and glory.