Category: Weekly Word of Encouragement

“But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.” Luke 11:20 (ESV) When God promised his coming kingdom in the Old Testament he promised deliverance from enemies. Here we see Jesus casting out demons, demonstrating the power of God and delivering people from the Enemy of all enemies. Then he makes the most astonishing declaration that a Jew could make: the kingdom of God is here. Devout Jews had waited hundreds of years for the coming of God’s perfect kingdom. Jesus was saying that it had arrived! This was so monumental that it is hard to know what the people thought. We know that Jesus only began the inauguration of the kingdom and it wouldn’t be completed until he left and returned again. But the fact remains that the kingdom of God is here now. We Continue Reading →

“At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do. ” Luke 10:21 (NIV). This is one of my favorite verses. In this passage the 72 ministers Jesus had sent out had returned with news about the miracles and exorcisms God had done through them. And so Jesus rejoices because all these people got to see the kingdom of God! The Jews had waited for centuries to see the kingdom of God, and now it was here. Notice that Jesus was full of joy. We often think about Jesus’ suffering, but we need to remember that Jesus also experienced great joy and this joy was due first to the indwelling of the Holy Continue Reading →

“For it is the one who is least among you all who is the greatest.” Luke 9:48, NIV. Once again Jesus declares that his kingdom is an upside-down kingdom. Humans strive to be great in this life but our status in the kingdom of God is not dependent on our status in this world. God is not interested in our worldly status or even in our popularity among believers. Instead, it is the one who is least among us who will be the most important in the next age, they will be great in the kingdom of God. In this passage Jesus was referring to children as being great. But based on his other teachings it appears that anyone who is willing to humble themselves like a child is great in the kingdom of God (Matt. 18:4). James says, “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up” (James Continue Reading →

“But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.” Luke 8:15 (NIV) This is Jesus’ promise at the end of the parable of the sower. The seeds that fell on good soil produced a huge harvest “a hundred times more than was sown.” We all want to live fruitful lives for God and produce as much as God allows us to produce. So, what do you do so that you can be fruitful, how do we bear a bumper crop for God? This verse mentions five responsibilities. First, have a noble heart. Desire what is excellent and honorable. Second, have a good heart. That is, our hearts embrace and abide in goodness and discard anything harmful. Third, we hear the word; we take time out of our schedule to read or listen Continue Reading →

At the beginning of his ministry Jesus quotes from Isaiah to describe his ministry. “He has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free” (Luke 4:18, NIV). The poor no longer need to despair about their condition because Jesus brings the good news that they will be greatly blessed (Matt. 5:3). Those who are oppressed or imprisoned by their circumstances will now be free. Those who are blind will now see. Thus, Jesus will reverse the effects of the Fall and start restoring everything to the goodness and harmony of God. This is the coming of the kingdom of God; Jesus inaugurated it when he came and will complete it after he returns. God will restore those who suffer. This means that everyone who is disadvantaged or Continue Reading →