Friday, April 4, 2014

Weekday Devotional with William Barclay - The Increasing Opposition

Daily Devotions with William Barclay
365 Meditations on the Heart of the New Testament

The Increasing Opposition
 
Scripture:  Luke 6:1-5

Reflection:
 
In the world today we realize there are too many hungry people.  When people are hungry they will do anything to get food including breaking the law.  Re-read Luke and read 1 Samuel 21:1-6
 
What law did David break and why?  
 
What are the laws of the Sabbath?
 
Since Jesus is the Lord of the Sabbath, did they really break the laws of the Sabbath? Why or why not?
 

 
Prayer: Creator of the universe and humanity thank you for your presence in the time of opposition during life it's always a teaching moment for all. Amen.

Thursday, April 3, 2014

Weekday Devotional with William Barclay - The Happy Company

Daily Devotions with William Barclay
365 Meditations on the Heart of the New Testament

The Happy Company
 
Scripture:  Luke 5:33-35

Reflection:
    Too often we live by religious rule instead of the joy God gives us through Jesus Christ.  The religious routine of Jesus' day was to fast on Mondays and Thursdays and whiten their faces so people will know they were fasting in addition to prayer two or three times a day: morning, evening and even noon. Why did some people have a problem with Jesus and his disciples around these religious tradition? 
A wedding is a joyful celebration, list some characteristics of a wedding.  How different is this joyful celebration from our Christian life?
 
Why didn't the people recognized Jesus as the bridegroom and his disciples as his guests?

 
Prayer: The Great I AM, thank you for the joy deep in my soul.  I praise you from the bottom of my heart.  May you see in my heart and my life my devotion to you.  May my life be a celebration to you. Amen.

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Weekday Devotional with William Barclay - The Guest of an Outcast

Daily Devotions with William Barclay

365 Meditations on the Heart of the New Testament

 

The Guest of an Outcast

 

Scripture:  Luke 5:27-31


Reflection:
   
Today we complain about taxes and how we are sometime double and tripled tax.  In Palestine it was the same to the point that the tax collectors were like loan sharks.  If a person couldn't pay the tax they would loan them the money and charge an out outrageous fee and continue to keep them in debt.


Why would the tax collector be in the same class as robbers and murders?  Did you know they were barred from the synagogue?
 
Jesus continue his message of salvation to the sick.  Why would Matthew and his friends be in need of a doctor?

If the Pharisees kept separated for people like Matthew, why were they hanging around?
 

Prayer: God, I'm glad that people who were like me, I was able to share the good news with them and they felt welcomed.  Help us reach out to those others have cast out so they can witness your love. Amen.

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Weekday Devotional with William Barclay - Without Honor in His Own Country

Daily Devotions with William Barclay

365 Meditations on the Heart of the New Testament

 

Without Honor in His Own Country

 

Scripture:  Luke 4:16-30


Reflection:
   
Why is it hard for those who have known you since childhood to see how God is using you as an adult?


What angered the Jews to the point they wanted to through Jesus over the cliff?
 
The synagogue was a place for prayer, reading and teaching of the scripture.  Jesus read the scripture using the scroll standing up but as he began to teach he sat down.
 

Prayer: Lord, Help my unbelief in my hometown and my home church.  Amen.