Today’s Verse: And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. ~Luke 17:15-16 We are a couple of days away from celebrating Thanksgiving. There are many food expressions that have fondly become associated with this special day. Food such as turkey, gravy, stuffing, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, green beans, and pies are an American tradition

Today’s Verse: And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business? ~Luke 2:49 The word must is a very strong verb. It is a word that indicates an imperative action. It is a call to perform a duty. It is a mandate requiring compliance and fulfillment. It is a word associated with a priority. The Lord Jesus lived by priority. There was no wasted time, wasted opportunities, or wasted events with Jesus. Would you consider wit

Today’s Verse: And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all: ~Luke 21:3 Back in the day, it was very difficult to be a widow. A widow was considered a plight of poverty. With her husband gone, she basically lived in survival mode. She got by with what she could. However, her clothing, frugal lifestyle, and branding by society indicated that her life was hard. Jesus uses a poor widow woman as an example of sacrifice and devotion.

Today’s Verse: And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. ~Luke 19:5 Anyone who has made the arduous attempt of climbing a tall mountain landscape or a steep mountain side knows the elation of standing at the top and seeing the splendor of the valley area below. There is a sense of accomplishment and a feeling of having conquered something that seemed impossible.

Today’s Verse: And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, ~Ephesians 1:19 Since the creation of man, we are well aware of the need of power in all facets of life. There is solar power, wind power, fire power, and electrical power. Our automobiles need to be fueled by battery power, gasoline or diesel fuel, or electrical power. Without power, our appliances at home will not work. Power is a vital neces

Today’s Verse: And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. ~Luke 7:37-38 How much do you love Jesus? Sometimes that question seems relative to the person or situation at hand. It is a p

Today’s Verse: Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. ~Luke 6:36 Perhaps of the many graces and virtues of the Christian life, mercy is one of the more challenging to apply and put in action. Mercy is showing pity, compassion, and longsuffering to another person. Specifically, it is applying it to someone who might be deserving of our judgment, or to someone who is adversarial to us. It is being forgiving and seeking restoration in spite of injustice that

Today’s Verse: And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. ~Luke 5:5 Poor Peter! He and his colleagues had fished all night and caught nothing. It was one of those rare fruitless nights. Fishermen made their living on the catch of the night. Seaside villages and surrounding communities depended upon the catch of the night for food and sustenance. So, when Jesus approached hi

Today’s Verse: And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. ~Luke 6:12 In the Bible we read of several instances of what I term “mountaintop praying”. Moses did mountaintop praying often. David did mountaintop praying. Elijah did mountaintop praying. Jesus at least on three occasions went to a mountain and there prayed. In each of these instances the one who prayed sought to go further and higher in his

Today’s Verse: Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you. ~Colossians 4:14 Choosing a good doctor is critical to one’s personal health. You want a doctor who is extremely competent, caring, conscientious, confidential, and connected. A good doctor is your advocate for good health. This morning, let us consider a man who is called the beloved physician. His name is Luke. Let us consider his conversion. Luke was a professional man. He was very well-educated and attained

Today’s Verse: And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, ~Luke 4:1 As Christians, we are in a constant war between the Spirit and the flesh. It boils down to who is in control of our life. We are either feeding the carnal desires of our flesh or we are completely controlled by the Holy Spirit. The evidence that a person is God’s purchased possession is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. If there is none of this

Today’s Verse: And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. ~Luke 2:45-46 Have you ever seen those poster signs entitled “Missing Child”? They typically have a picture and description of the child and the last time he was seen. You can only imagine the fear and anxiety in the hearts of the

Today’s Verse: Then took they him, and led him, and brought him into the high priest's house. And Peter followed afar off. ~Luke 22:54 When learning to drive an automobile, the driving instructor will caution every student driver to watch his distance. By this, it means that the driver should not drive so close to the car in front of him that he could accidentally rear-end the other driver. It is a saying that is meant for safety. This morning, we want to apply this thought o

Today’s Verse: And Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they required. And he released unto them him that for sedition and murder was cast into prison, whom they had desired; but he delivered Jesus to their will. ~Luke 23:24-25 Have you ever helped another person clean out a room or desk, and when you found something that looked like it had no value, he said to you, “Don’t throw it away!”? How about if you have ever played in a competitive event and your team was in the

Today’s Verse: Saying, Go ye into the village over against you; in the which at your entering ye shall find a colt tied, whereon yet never man sat: loose him, and bring him hither. And if any man ask you, Why do ye loose him? thus shall ye say unto him, Because the Lord hath need of him. ~Luke 19:30-31 Do you like being in the driver’s seat? By this, I mean: do you enjoy being in control? Do you have a difficult time giving up control? Are you someone who has a hard time foll

Today’s Verse: But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. ~Luke 10:40 Have you ever had so much going on at one time that you felt like you were being pulled in different directions? That’s what the phrase “cumbered about much serving” means. Martha was doing so many household chores that she became overwhelmed and did not know what the most imp

Today’s Verse: And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. ~Luke 9:62 A little boy heard a Sunday School lesson about Lot’s wife that, as she was following Lot out of Sodom, she looked back and was turned into a pillar of salt. The teacher asked if anyone had any questions, and the little boy raised his hand. He said, “My mother once looked back when she was driving and turned into a light pole.” All kid

Today’s Verse: When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. ~Luke 7:9 Do you have great faith? I think most, if not all of us, sadly, are lacking in great faith. Great faith is exercised when we are under extreme circumstances. Extreme circumstances are when things are bigger than us, beyond our control, and humanly impossible. A Roman c

Today’s Verse: And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. ~Luke 2:7 This morning is Christmas, when we celebrate the incarnation of our Lord. Mary’s nine months of maternity would culminate in the most important and miraculous birth: the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ! Mary would endure all of the normality of this maternity but with greater anticipation than any mothe

Today’s Verse: And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, ~Luke 4:1 Moody was to have a campaign in England. An elderly pastor protested, “Why do we need this ‘Mr. Moody’? He’s uneducated, inexperienced, etc. Who does he think he is anyway? Does he think he has a monopoly on the Holy Spirit?” A younger, wiser pastor rose and responded, “No, but the Holy Spirit has a monopoly on Mr. Moody.” [Source unknown]