Don’t leave the ninety-nine

“What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? Luke 15:4

Do you remember the old cartoons with the sheep and the wolf?  The wolf was always out to get the sheep to have for lunch, but the sheep dog would come along at just the right time to rescue the sheep.  The interesting thing was the wolf was always getting the sheep that were off by themselves away from the rest of the flock.

It’s a similar picture of our walk through life.  We are to stay close with other “sheep” where the Shepherd is keeping watch.  We encourage and pray for one another and look out for each other.  It is a very important way of life for believers.  I know this from experience.  When I first started making my own decisions in life, I was headed in a direction that I thought was right to take care of myself.  My desire for independence tainted my ability to make good decisions.  In the process, I often found myself on the “edge of the flock” as it were.  Basically, I was out from under the protection and encouragement of the church and other believers.  Many times, I found myself vulnerable to the “wolves” of the world.  As I continued to go through life, often I felt the need to try to find my place in a body of believers, but because I didn’t want to take the time to invest in others or get to know other believers in my area, I didn’t stay on that path very long.  It was uncomfortable and awkward.

God was always so faithful to seek me out and come rushing in to protect me when I was about to be devoured. Much of my pain and lasting regrets from wrong choices could have been avoided had I stayed “connected” with God’s people. Today’s verse says, “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? Luke 15:4 That’s exactly what God did for me every time I was within the clutches of the enemy. He rushed in to rescue me and I am so thankful.

He will do the same for you if you ever get beyond the place of connection and protection with other believers. God’s grace reaches to where ever you find yourself. The smart thing to do is to stay in the planned place He created for you. There you will have His greatest blessings and peace. No longer will you wonder about in the wilderness of uncertainty and indecision. Next to the Shepherd is true satisfaction and rest.

Today I want to encourage you to stay connected with God and His people.  If you have a church you regularly attend and serve at, keep serving.  If you don’t, I strongly urge you to ask God to direct you to the right place for you.  The place that He has planned for you to be “planted”.  It’s not always easy starting out, but it is the best place to stay accountable.  You may want to start by finding a “small group” close to where you live.  It is a more personal setting and a great opportunity to get to know believers that also have been through life and can help you to stay on the path God has for you.  Soon you will find you depend on the encouragement of others and can begin encouraging and building up others who may be struggling with similar things you have already been through.  In God’s eyes, life is all about people and relationships. He wants us to stay “connected” to Him and to each other!

Today’s scripture reading: Luke 15:1-7

1 Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him. 

2 And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, “This Man receives sinners and eats with them.” 

3 So He spoke this parable to them, saying:

4 “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? 

5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 

6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’ 

7 I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.

The Wrong Side

So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple. Luke 14:33

Pretty plain, isn’t it?  We often hear a salvation message that says salvation is a free gift.  All you have to do is receive it by faith.  But there is quite a bit more to it, right?

First of all, salvation was not free, it cost Jesus His life.  We were bought with a price, the precious blood of Jesus that was poured out for all sin for all time.  Now, salvation is available to any and all who will receive, but it is not free, and it has a cost.  Jesus paid it all so that He could rescue us from sin, but He rescues us from ourselves, also.

In today’s scripture passage, Jesus unpacks this very idea by talking about counting the cost.  He doesn’t want followers who are unwilling to count the cost and lay down their lives for the cause of righteousness.  He is looking for those who will take up their cross and follow after Him by doing the things that He did.  He said, no one makes a decision to build something without first counting the cost.  In the case of salvation, the cost is our lives.  We give our live to Him for the Kingdom of heaven’s expansion because He gave His life for us.

So, it is time to lay down our selfish ambitions and pick up our mission in Christ Jesus.  The truth is, we are on one side or the other.  Either we are on the side of evil and self-seeking pleasures, or we are on the God’s side through salvation and on assignment for Him.  I know many people want to accept the gift of salvation and then continue on in life pursuing the possessions of the world, but that is not what salvation is.  Salvation is turning away from the old sinful life and turning toward a life of righteousness, that is His righteousness.  The life that was planned for you and the path that your creator designed for you.  That life is in making an eternal impact by bringing the message of salvation and rescuing others who are on the wrong side of life.

Today I want to encourage you to count the cost.  Take a good look at which side you are actually helping.  Are you a warrior raising up soldiers in the Lord’s army, or are you riding through life on the enemy’s roller coaster of pain and suffering, blindly thinking that you are accumulating wealth and rich?  Take a step in the right direction and surrender your life and heart to God through the blood and sacrifice of Jesus.  Commit to living out your days on God’s side and be deployed into the world to rescue others who are imprisoned by the enemy of their souls.

If you have never received His great salvation, pray this prayer today and believe by faith that you are now in the LORD’s army: _{God in heaven, I know I’m a sinner and I need a Savior.  I want to turn away from my sinful life to the life You have planned for me.  Please forgive my sins, cleanse me from my past, and make me new today.  I know Your Son, Jesus died for me.  I believe in my heart that You raised Him from the dead.  At this very moment, I accept, confess, and proclaim Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior . . . to be Lord of my life from this day forward.  I now have a right relationship with God my Father through this salvation in Jesus. I thank You for giving me Your Holy Spirit to guide me and to empower me to accomplish the things You have planned for my life in Jesus’ name, Amen}

Today’s scripture reading: Luke 14:25-35

25 Now great multitudes went with Him. And He turned and said to them, 

26 “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. 

27 And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. 

28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it— 

29 lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 

30 saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish’? 

31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? 

32 Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace. 

33 So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.

34 “Salt is good; but if the salt has lost its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? 

35 It is neither fit for the land nor for the dunghill, but men throw it out. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”

What is Your Excuse

But they all with one accord began to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a piece of ground, and I must go and see it. I ask you to have me excused.’ Luke 14:18

We have been invited into the Lord’s house.  Each week we all have the opportunity to come together with other believers and worship God and set time aside to press into Him and know Him even better.  It seems like more and more, less of God’s people are attending weekend services.  Since 2020, church attendance is down like never before.  I have heard some excuses and there are even some legitimate reasons that people stay home.  Most of all, I believe it is the concentrated effort that it takes to include attending services in people’s distracted schedules.

Today’s reading is a parable that Jesus told about a man who invited many to a great supper he was hosting.  It is implied that the initial invitations went out to those who had some substance and wealth.  They all reply with a list of excuses and when the man hears the responses, he became angry and instead has his servant go out and invite poor, maimed, lame and blind people to the supper.  After that, he sends his servant out again to offer the invitation further out of the city limits.  The man wants his house to be full, so the invitation is wide open for anyone to enter in.

This parable doesn’t necessarily sound like the man is inviting people to church, but he is inviting them in to eat.  When we go to church, we feed our spirit person and it needs that nourishment to enable us to grow spiritually.  So whatever your excuses or distractions are, whether you are too busy, you don’t like the preaching, you don’t like the music, you are afraid of getting sick from a large gathering, you just want to watch online or you are just too tired to get going, make coming into the Master’s house with the family of God a priority in your week.  Your spirit needs the energy and encouragement to sustain you throughout your time away from others.  Accept your invitation today to come and feed your inner person, get connected in by serving or joining a small group and then make it important every week to be there to connect with others.

Today I want to encourage you to accept the invitation to assemble with other believers.  If you do not have a place that you belong to for worship, find one today.  Ask a friend or neighbor if you can go with them or ask the Holy Spirit to give you the nudging and wisdom of where to go this week.  Make coming together with other believers a priority in your life today and continue to give it first place as you grow up in the things that really matter in the world . . . getting the work of ministry done for the Master of the house.

Today’s Scripture Reading: Luke 14:15-24

15 Now when one of those who sat at the table with Him heard these things, he said to Him, “Blessed is he who shall eat bread in the kingdom of God!”

16 Then He said to him, “A certain man gave a great supper and invited many, 

17 and sent his servant at supper time to say to those who were invited, ‘Come, for all things are now ready.’ 

18 But they all with one accord began to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a piece of ground, and I must go and see it. I ask you to have me excused.’ 

19 And another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to test them. I ask you to have me excused.’ 

20 Still another said, ‘I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.’ 

21 So that servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house, being angry, said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in here the poor and the maimed and the lame and the blind.’ 

22 And the servant said, ‘Master, it is done as you commanded, and still there is room.’ 

23 Then the master said to the servant, ‘Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. 

24 For I say to you that none of those men who were invited shall taste my supper.’

Be humble

For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 14:11

It is better to be humble than to be humiliated.  It is something I tried to teach my children as they were growing up.  I wanted them to understand that in humbling themselves by preferring others first, that would ensure a kind heart and keep them from other people humiliating them.  I think it is safe to say that no one likes to be humiliated.

So, what does it even look like to be humble?  Well, one of the easiest ways is by being the type of person that does for others before self.  Another way is to always consider other people and their feeling first before considering your own.

Jesus probably gives the simplest definition in today’s reading.  He said do not seek the spotlight.  Don’t be the one that always has to have the best seat in the house.  Instead, let someone else invite you to that place of honor, then you will have glory in the presence of those who sit with you.

Being humble will look differently for all people, but mostly it shows up in kindness to others and always putting other people first.  It is not thinking less of yourself by any means, it is simply thinking of yourself less than you think of other people. 

As I mentioned yesterday, Jesus is all about people and this is the way He showed His humility.  He preferred others first and not well behaving clean people, He always found a way to make the hurting, lame, blind and poor people feel special and loved.  His mission was to think about the needs of others and then help them to get what ever it was that they needed.

Today I want to encourage you to think of others more than you think of yourself.  If you have thought in the past that being humble was putting yourself down and not giving attention to what you do well, that just isn’t the case.  In doing that, you still are keeping the focus on you, but in a bad way.  This is just being prideful about the negative instead of the positive.  Stop that today and begin taking the focus off of yourself completely and make other people’s needs your priority.  Start lifting others up in the place of honor instead of looking how you can look good in other people’s eyes.  Then you will be blessed in this life and repaid at the resurrection of the just.

Today’s scripture reading: Luke 14:7-14

7 So He told a parable to those who were invited, when He noted how they chose the best places, saying to them: 

8 “When you are invited by anyone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in the best place, lest one more honorable than you be invited by him; 

9 and he who invited you and him come and say to you, ‘Give place to this man,’ and then you begin with shame to take the lowest place. 

10 But when you are invited, go and sit down in the lowest place, so that when he who invited you comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, go up higher.’ Then you will have glory in the presence of those who sit at the table with you. 

11 For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

12 Then He also said to him who invited Him, “When you give a dinner or a supper, do not ask your friends, your brothers, your relatives, nor rich neighbors, lest they also invite you back, and you be repaid. 

13 But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind. 

14 And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just.”

It’s about People

Then He answered them, saying, “Which of you, having a donkey or an ox that has fallen into a pit, will not immediately pull him out on the Sabbath day?” Luke 14:5

There is no doubt that Jesus loved people.  The one and only reason He was born into this world in the first place was for people.  He didn’t come to enforce rules to control people, He came to set people free from the bonds of sin and one of the ways He did that was by healing them physically.  Sin in the world brought oppression and every evil thing and disease/sickness.

In today’s reading, Jesus was celebrating the Sabbath with a group of lawyers and Pharisees.  They were the people that believed their one job was to enforce the laws to keep control and order in the country.  The only problem with that was they didn’t have any concern about what people were going through or dealing with.  Their only interest were the legal issues of the day.  This was not a bad thing, but there was a big problem with their hearts and attitude.  That was pride!  The religious leaders of Jesus day put themselves on a pedestal and looked down on common people because they thought they knew the law better than anyone else and had been authorized to execute it wherever they were.  In fact, they were indignant that Jesus was not a stickler for all the rules.  Instead, He was for the people.  As we read in this passage in Luke, Jesus noticed a man with a problem or mality of some kind.  He even asked before He healed him if there was anything in the law that permitted good to be done on the Sabbath?  Jesus was not concerned that He was breaking one of the rules because it is more important to love people no matter what day it is.

This is the heart that we should take on.  Loving people always.  Jesus is our example, and we should always put people first before any rule or any activity.  If you know of someone in need, make them your priority.  At minimum, make time to pray for them and their healing or provision.  Whatever their need may be.  The reason we are here in the world is to help people.  Help them find rest, help them find peace and help others find Salvation in Him. Don’t be like the Pharisees of Jesus day by only pointing out what people are doing wrong. Try helping them out of the ditches they have fallen into by loving people where they are.

Today I want to encourage you to start making others your priority.  Even those who do not seemingly have major issues such as disease or oppression.  All people have a space inside them that is shaped to fit a relationship with their creator.  Most however, fill that space with other things that just don’t quite satisfy.  Love others today and introduce them to the One who wants to be their helper and guide through life.  If you make that your life mission, you will be on track following the one Who gave His life to save us all!

Today’s scripture reading: Luke 14:1-6

LUKE 14

A Man with Dropsy Healed on the Sabbath

1 Now it happened, as He went into the house of one of the rulers of the Pharisees to eat bread on the Sabbath, that they watched Him closely. 

2 And behold, there was a certain man before Him who had dropsy. 

3 And Jesus, answering, spoke to the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”

4 But they kept silent. And He took him and healed him, and let him go. 

5 Then He answered them, saying, “Which of you, having a donkey or an ox that has fallen into a pit, will not immediately pull him out on the Sabbath day?” 

6 And they could not answer Him regarding these things.

A Heart for America

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! Luke 13:34

Many times I feel this way about America.  I cry out to God and ask: “Please hold on to us!”  I consider that He feels the same way about America that He did Jerusalem in today’s passage.  Jesus actually laments over Jerusalem because God sent them many messengers to help them to get back on track and to show them the way back to God’s blessed/planned place.  Through the generations, the sent ones were rejected, beaten and murdered.

Thankfully, today, Jesus has already come to rescue us and has made a provision on an individual level.  We can personally walk with Him and even when it looks like those in power are rejecting His blessed path, there are still multitudes of believers praying for and loving the people of America. 

Just as it was in the Old Testament, we are now the “prophets”, and we are the messengers that God is sending into our towns, country and world.  Christians are the ones carrying the message of the good news of salvation from the enemy’s oppression.  God’s children are the ones empowered by His Spirit to pray and lead those around us out of the pit of destruction.  We are the ones for this generation to proclaim the love of God for all people.  Not just some and not just the “good” ones. God loves all people and wants them all to come to the knowledge of salvation through a right relationship with Him.

Now comes the realization that He is counting on His people to bring them in.  He has constructed a plan for us to reach those who are searching and even those who are not.  The power of the Holy Spirit to change a life is greater today than ever because the days we have left to reach them are shorter than ever.

Today I want to encourage you to pour out your heart before God for America!  Just as Jesus prayed for Jerusalem, pray for God’s Spirit to move on the heart of America.  Don’t be the one who looks at what is wrong and point the finger at whose fault it is.  Instead, ask God to show you how you can be a part of the answer He has already prepared for the mess.  He stills takes what the enemy meant for evil and turns it for good and He still turns things around every day.  Don’t look at the world and American with the attitude that there is nothing that can be done about it.  Pray about it!  Make a commitment to pray each day for God’s hand to move in this world.  We are the force that God has placed here to make an impact with our lives, our prayers and His salvation message.

Today’s scripture reading: Luke 13:34-35

34 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were not willing! 

35 See! Your house is left to you desolate; and assuredly, I say to you, you shall not see Me until the time comes when you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ ”

The narrow gate?

“Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able. Luke 13:24

Life? What does it truly mean to live a good life?  What was God’s idea of a good life when He created people?  Is it to work hard to accumulate things?  Is it being entertained at every free minute?  Is it having a family, working until you are 65 and retiring to live out the rest of your life in comfort and leisure? Well, none of these things are bad, and there certainly are worse ways to live out your days, but today’s text gives us some hints on God’s idea of living life to the fullest.

Jesus said “Enter by the narrow gate.  It goes on to say the narrow gate is difficult but leads to life.  So why is the narrow gate difficult?  Well, first of all, if you picture an actual gate that is narrow, you could imagine that it would require you to unload anything that wasn’t actually part of you to get through it.  You would have to put down things that were heavy and burdensome.  In today’s world, you would have to enter on foot, not driving a vehicle through or bringing any of your possessions.  Mostly, it is taking a path that is purposeful and planned out by the Creator Himself.  Most people would follow the path of least resistance.  It can seem easier to coast or drift through life without purposefully pointing your life in a direction of intentionality.  Some would even purpose to pursue the things of this world that are fleeting and temporary but will dissolve away when they are done here.

I see this as a spiritual gate.  Living your life growing your spirit person, that is what gets through the narrow gate.  You can imagine in a spiritual sense of laying down your cares and burdens and trusting in the God of the universe to get you through.  Notice that He is only interested in a relationship with you, not the things of this world.  Of course, it is wise to properly maintain your physical body, but this is not what actually goes through the narrow gate.  To truly live this life to the fullest, an individual must have a personal relationship and fellowship with the Father of love.  The wide gate is for the masses which many can fit through all at once.  Those headed toward this gate give no consideration to a personal relationship with the God of creation, only trying to get to “mine” first. 

Today I would encourage you to take a look at which gate you are heading toward.  Are you seeking out the precious personal time to fellowship and commune with your heavenly Father?  Or are you with the masses trying to secure what is best for me and mine.  Have you stored up for yourself treasures in this world, or do you place your treasure and resources in His kingdom where it cannot be eaten away by rust and moths?  Decide today that you are going to start making eternal investments by helping others and using your resources to promote God’s agenda.  Then spend time each day purposing to press into Him through the narrow gate of relationship and being an example of His love everywhere you go.

Today’s scripture reading: Luke 13:18-33

18 Then He said, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? 

19 It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and put in his garden; and it grew and became a large tree, and the birds of the air nested in its branches.”

20 And again He said, “To what shall I liken the kingdom of God? 

21 It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened.”

22 And He went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem. 

23 Then one said to Him, “Lord, are there few who are saved?” And He said to them, 

24 “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able. 

25 When once the Master of the house has risen up and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open for us,’ and He will answer and say to you, ‘I do not know you, where you are from,’ 

26 then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets.’ 

27 But He will say, ‘I tell you I do not know you, where you are from. Depart from Me, all you workers of iniquity.’ 

28 There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and yourselves thrust out. 

29 They will come from the east and the west, from the north and the south, and sit down in the kingdom of God. 

30 And indeed there are last who will be first, and there are first who will be last.”

31 On that very day some Pharisees came, saying to Him, “Get out and depart from here, for Herod wants to kill You.”

32 And He said to them, “Go, tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.’ 

33 Nevertheless I must journey today, tomorrow, and the day following; for it cannot be that a prophet should perish outside of Jerusalem.

Loosed

But when Jesus saw her, He called her to Him and said to her, “Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity.” Luke 13:12

Today’s reading is about a woman who was bent over and could not stand up straight.  I cannot even imagine what this looked like, much less how it felt.  As soon as Jesus saw her, He called to her and loosed her from a spirit that had been holding her in this position for eighteen years.  He laid His hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and she glorified God.

The passage does not identify this condition as a disease or illness, infirmity simply means a weakness.  Whether her weakness was in her back or her bone structure, it just doesn’t matter.  The point is that whatever was weak was made strong when Jesus touched her life.

We all have infirmities in life.  Weaknesses that can hold us back from completing the mission we have been assigned to accomplish.  Whether physical, emotional or spiritual, these frailties can bind us up to the point of being ineffective.

The answer is to get into His presence.  Set aside quiet time to press into His goodness and strengthen the weak areas of your life.  He has a solution to whatever is hindering your ability to make an impact, but it is up to each person to individually “come to Him.”

Today I want to encourage you to answer His call to you. Start by surrendering all that you are and have to Him.  Put up your hands and cry out for help in any area of your life that is weak and holding back His plan and purpose for you.  Be loosed from the chains of sin and the oppression of the enemy to bind you up and paralyze you by saturating yourself in the love of God and be loosed today.  Let Him strengthen all the weak areas of your life and when you do, you will hear Him say: “Child of God, you are loosed from your infirmities.” When this happens, remember to take the time to glorify God for all that He has brought you through!

Today’s scripture reading: Luke 13:10-17

10 Now He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. 

11 And behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bent over and could in no way raise herself up. 

12 But when Jesus saw her, He called her to Him and said to her, “Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity.” 

13 And He laid His hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.

14 But the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath; and he said to the crowd, “There are six days on which men ought to work; therefore come and be healed on them, and not on the Sabbath day.”

15 The Lord then answered him and said, “Hypocrite! Does not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or donkey from the stall, and lead it away to water it? 

16 So ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound—think of it—for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?” 

17 And when He said these things, all His adversaries were put to shame; and all the multitude rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by Him.

It’s not too Late

But he answered and said to him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. Luke 13:8

I’ve made many mistakes in my lifetime, you probably have too.  I know they are not the same, we all make our own bad choices.  No matter what you or I have done, there is still hope.  As long as we have breath in our lungs, it is not too late to get it right.

Jesus talks about this in a parable in today’s reading.  He said there was a tree in a vineyard that was not producing so the owner of the vineyard wanted to cut it down. When he told the keeper of the land to cut the tree down, his response was to give the tree another chance and give it some special care and attention.  The keeper was granted his request.  There is no outcome to this story, so I believe the significance is in the keeper’s response.

If I equate the fig tree in this passage to be person, it would seem that they were someone who was not bearing fruit in God’s kingdom.  That means that they were living life for their own purposes and gain rather than God’s.  I would even say that this person may not have been a child of God or have any consideration of a purpose beyond their own livelihood.  The owner of the vineyard of course represents God and the keeper is who God has entrusted the care of this unfruitful persons life to.  The keeper recognizes his influence in the unfruitful one’s destiny, so he tends to the needs and deficiencies of that individual.  In a spiritual comparison, the keeper would be the one praying for and encouraging that person in their walk with God the Father.  The keeper stays with the tree to make sure it is growing and then producing even after it is able to stand on its own.

This brings me to my next question.  Are there lives of people that have been assigned to me in this life and in the world?  Certainly, those closest to me and my children and grandchildren?  However, the focus of this passage is on having another chance to get it right and praying for and tending to the needs of those who have not gotten there yet. In my own experience, I didn’t know my life was assigned to another, but I do know that at minimum my parents and family were praying for me.  I know that they were the ones who would ask God for another chance for me.  I am so thankful!  Now the question is, who am I to be praying for and who has been assigned to me?

As in this parable, it was not too late for the fig tree, and it is not too late for you.  You can turn back to Him today and He will lead you in the path of your planned destination.  On that path will be the people and lives that He planned for you to impact and pray for to change their fruitfulness.

Today I want to encourage you to consider who you are in this parable.  Are you the unfruitful tree that needs to get back on track?  Or are you the keeper who is responsible for some that are unfruitful in this season?  Either way, there are some next steps for you to take:  First, turn your life over and surrender all to the will of your Father in heaven.  He has a good plan and you will be much better off the sooner you get there.  Next, find out those who have been assigned to you and begin praying for them.  Ask for wisdom and discernment on how to proceed effectively and begin to cultivate the ground around them with God’s love and kindness.  Jesus is interceding for us all at God’s right hand, but it is up to us to bring those to Him that need interceded for.

Today’s scripture reading: Luke 13:6-9

6 He also spoke this parable: “A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. 

7 Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, ‘Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. Cut it down; why does it use up the ground?’ 

8 But he answered and said to him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. 

9 And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that you can cut it down.’ ”

Repent or Perish

I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.” Luke 13:5

Sometimes bad things happen in the world.  Accidents and even people intentionally hurting others.  It is sad, but not new.  Bad things have been happening in the world since sin entered in.  Many have asked why?  Why do bad things happen and sometimes to “good” people?

In today’s reading, Jesus was talking to a group of people who were asking this question, but they thought they knew the answer?  They figured since something bad happened to them, they must have been bad people.  Sounds a little superstitious, but Jesus said “no!”  That is not the reason.  He said that bad things happen in the world and can happen to anyone unless they repent and turn to Him.

I would remind you at this point about Jesus saying, “do not fear those who can kill the body but not the soul.”  The truth is we probably all know some Christian who have passed suddenly, even tragically, but that doesn’t mean they were worse sinners than us all.  Their body may be dead in this world, but they live on in eternity with their loving heavenly Father, Glory to God!

Here is my solution to conquering this fear and question of: could it happen to me or my loved ones?  First of all, do as Jesus said and repent!  Turn your life over to Him!  You are for sure in better, safer hands when you are trusting Jesus!  It doesn’t mean you will never have another problem and it doesn’t mean that you will never suffer lose, but what it does mean is He will get you through it all and protect along the way. 

Secondly, press in!  Press into your relationship with God your Father.  Psalms 91 tells us to dwell in the secret place of the most High and live your life in His shadow of protection.  Get into that secret place each day and listen and learn the direction and the protected places to live in.  You may not have a perfect life, but it will be so much better than it is without Him.

Today I want to encourage you to not be afraid!  Trust in Him to keep you safe and keep you protected.  Just like you trusted Him for your salvation, you can ask and believe He will protect and watch over you and your family.  He wants to guide you to His perfect path of righteousness, but it is up to you to follow that leading.  If you have never invited Him into your life, do that today and then make yourself a secret place to be with Him each day.  No matter how bad the world gets around you, He is stronger, and He is more dependable.  He will get you through any circumstance that comes your way as you trust in Him.

Pray this prayer today: _{God in heaven, I know I’m a sinner and I need a Savior.  I want to turn away from my sinful life to the life You have planned for me.  Please forgive my sins, cleanse me from my past, and make me new today.  I know Your Son, Jesus died for me.  I believe in my heart that You raised Him from the dead.  At this very moment, I accept, confess, and proclaim Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior . . . to be Lord of my life from this day forward.  I now have a right relationship with God my Father through this salvation in Jesus. I thank You for giving me Your Holy Spirit to guide me and to empower me to accomplish the things You have planned for my life in Jesus’ name, Amen}

Today’s Scripture reading: Luke 13:1-5

1 There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 

2 And Jesus answered and said to them, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? 

3 I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. 

4 Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? 

5 I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.”