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The Word of God says:

John 14:1-6 (NASB) ¹ “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me.² “In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.³ “If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.⁴ “And you know the way where I am going.”⁵ Thomas said* to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way?”⁶ Jesus said* to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.

My reflections on the Word of God:

When Jesus spoke these words of comfort to His disciples there was a lot of confusion and uncertainty in their lives.

Jesus had tried to prepare His disciples for their future, but they were not dealing very well with the idea of Him going away and leaving them. The news of His departure confused their minds and troubled their hearts.

John 13:33 (NASB) ³³ “Little children, I am with you a little while longer. You will seek Me; and as I said to the Jews, now I also say to you, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’

Not only did Jesus tell them that He was going away, but He told them that He was going to die. This revelation added discouragement and bewilderment to the hearts of the disciples and followers of Jesus.

John 12:32-33 (NASB) ³² “And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself.”³³ But He was saying this to indicate the kind of death by which He was to die.

God’s people then and God’s people today who are sincere followers of Christ have to face the attacks of the chief enemy of our souls.

Luke 22:31-32 (NASB) ³¹ “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat;³² but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”

Lots of things have changed since the followers of Jesus faced the conditions of their world. However, one thing had not changed, and that is that in this world we will have troubles. Jesus told His disciples that they should expect troubles, and so should we. This week we will examine the prescription that Jesus gave His disciples for a troubled heart.

John 16:33 (NASB) ³³ “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”

My prayer in response to the Word of God:

Our Father in heaven, I praise and thank You that we don’t have to face the troubles, tribulations, and trials in this world alone.

Father God, I thank You that when we put our trust in Jesus that we have the blessed assurance that we are never alone in this world.

Hebrews 13:5b (NASB) … He Himself has said, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,”

What a Friend (Click on link below for lyrics and midi):

http://biblestudycharts.com/SH_What_a_Friend_v1.html

The Word of God says:

Luke 17:11-19 (NASB) ¹¹ While He was on the way to Jerusalem, He was passing between Samaria and Galilee.¹² As He entered a village, ten leprous men who stood at a distance met Him;¹³ and they raised their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”¹⁴ When He saw them, He said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they were going, they were cleansed.¹⁵ Now one of them, when he saw that he had been healed, turned back, glorifying God with a loud voice,¹⁶ and he fell on his face at His feet, giving thanks to Him. And he was a Samaritan.¹⁷ Then Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But the nine—where are they?¹⁸ “Was no one found who returned to give glory to God, except this foreigner?”¹⁹ And He said to him, “Stand up and go; your faith has made you well.”

My reflections on the Word of God:

Today’s passage is an appropriate one to end this week, which is a short week for many of you from the weekly routine. This will be a short week for me also. Tomorrow we will be hosting the family tribe of cousins who live in the Greater Baton Rouge area.

So this will be the concluding message for this week. We will return on Monday to continue our walk through some of the key passages from our new member’s orientation training course, “Committed to Membership”.

Our focal passage for today includes two very important lessons for the disciples of Jesus then and for us today.

The first lesson is how to have our needs met.  The second lesson is on gratitude. The first lesson is another reason given to the disciple of the central part that faith plays in getting our needs met. It takes faith to pray. It takes faith in the power and sufficiency of God to come to Him, and asking in faith for Him to meet our needs.

Notice the faith of the ten lepers in this passage, and notice the object of their faith. They came to Jesus and they addressed Him as “Jesus, Master”.

Luke 17:13 (NASB) ¹³ and they raised their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”

They came to the right person, and they came to Jesus in the right way. As men who were lepers they were required by the law to keep a certain distance. So they kept the law, but the law could not keep them from coming to Jesus. Notice, the title they used for Jesus, “Master”. An examination of the Greek will reveal that the word is not teacher but healer. The Greek word means chief, the one who has power to meet the physical and spiritual needs.

Luke 17:12 (NASB) ¹² As He entered a village, ten leprous men who stood at a distance met Him;

The second lesson is gratitude. All of the lepers learned the first lesson. But, only one of them learned the second lesson.

Luke 17:15-18 (NASB) ¹⁵ Now one of them, when he saw that he had been healed, turned back, glorifying God with a loud voice,¹⁶ and he fell on his face at His feet, giving thanks to Him. And he was a Samaritan.¹⁷ Then Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But the nine—where are they?¹⁸ “Was no one found who returned to give glory to God, except this foreigner?”

When Jesus hears and answers your prayer we need to follow the example of the one who was grateful to Jesus, the Master.

My prayer in response to the Word of God:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I praise and thank You that there is One that we can come to and get all of our needs met.

Lord, I pray that I will in my time need exercise the gift of faith that is within me to call upon You to meet my need believing that You are able and willing to meet my need.

Lord, it seems like such a small thing to say, but Lord from the depths of my heart I say, “Thank, You Jesus, thank You Lord for all that You have done for me.

Give Thanks (Click on link below for lyrics and midi):

http://my.homewithgod.com/heavenlymidis2/givethanks.html

The Word of God says:

Luke 17:5-10 (NASB) ⁵ The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!”⁶ And the Lord said, “If you had faith like a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and be planted in the sea’; and it would obey you.⁷ “Which of you, having a slave plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come immediately and sit down to eat’?⁸ “But will he not say to him, ‘Prepare something for me to eat, and properly clothe yourself and serve me while I eat and drink; and afterward you may eat and drink’?⁹ “He does not thank the slave because he did the things which were commanded, does he?¹⁰ “So you too, when you do all the things which are commanded you, say, ‘We are unworthy slaves; we have done only that which we ought to have done.’ “

My reflections on the Word of God:

The logo of our church is an image of a baseball diamond. First base is membership, second base is maturity, third base is ministry, home plate is missions, and the pitcher’s mound is magnification (worship).

Today our emphasis is on ministry and missions, and the role of faith in serving Christ through His church. It takes faith to live the way Jesus expected His disciples to live. It takes faith to serve others the ways Jesus expected His disciples to serve.

If the members of our church are to be successful they must make their way around the bases. As our pastor reminds us frequently we are a missionary church, and as a missionary church we go out into the community. If a church does not go outside the walls of its meeting place, you become a stationary church.

Notice in our focal passage the different duties that Jesus mentions. Whether you are doing ordinary tasks like tending a field or flock or preparing a meal, it requires faith. It surely takes faith to do the extraordinary, for example moving a mountain.

The disciples hearing the demands of being followers of Christ came to the realization that they needed more faith than they possessed. They asked the Lord to increase their faith.

Jesus gave them an answer that may have surprised them.  He told them that they didn’t need a great faith, what they needed was a genuine faith. It is not a matter of the size of your faith. Jesus said that the smallest amount of genuine faith that is placed in God is sufficient for anything that He asked you to do in the ministry and mission you are given. The key is not the size of faith, but having faith.

My prayer in response to the Word of God:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so grateful that You have given to Your people the gift of faith.

Lord, I pray that I will have the courage to exercise my faith in everything that I attempt to do in ministry and missions in and through the church.

Lord, I agree with the hymn writer Charles Wesley when he wrote, “If nothing is too hard for Thee, All things are possible to me”.

All Things Are Possible to Him (Click on link below for lyrics and midi):

http://www.hymnal.net/hymn.php/h/535

The Word of God says:

Hebrews 11:6 (NASB) ⁶ And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.

My reflections on the Word of God:

The centrality of faith in the life of believers is of utmost importance. I begin this morning reading the seventeen chapter of Luke.

The request that the apostles made of Jesus is one that should resonate in the heart of every child of God. What they asked of Jesus speaks to the need of my life.

Luke 17:5 (NASB) ⁵ The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!”

In the next verse Jesus compares faith to a mustard seed. The mustard seed is small, and faith is like that. However small and weak your faith may be, the good news is that there is life in faith. If nurtured and cultivated your faith will grow.

In addition, it is not the size of our faith that is of first importance, it is the object of our faith that is essential.

Mark 11:22 (NASB) ²² And Jesus answered* saying to them, “Have faith in God.

Now, let us look at an important area where we need faith. What Jesus said to His disciples then is also applicable to us today. It takes faith in a living God to be able to forgive others.

Luke 17:1-4 (NASB) ¹ He said to His disciples, “It is inevitable that stumbling blocks come, but woe to him through whom they come!² “It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea, than that he would cause one of these little ones to stumble.³ “Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.⁴ “And if he sins against you seven times a day, and returns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ forgive him.”

My prayer in response to the Word of God:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I praise and thank You for Jesus, the Master Teacher. Lord, I am so thankful for the gift of faith. However, most of all I thank You for being the one in whom I can place my faith.

Father God, we cannot forgive the way Jesus taught forgiveness without faith in Almighty God. So, we pray like the apostles prayed, Lord, increase our faith in God.

Savior, I By Faith Am Touching Thee (Click on link below for lyrics and midi):

Hymn: Savior, I by faith am touching Thee

The Word of God says:

Matthew 28:6 (NASB) ⁶ “He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying.

My reflections on the Word of God:

Today completes the seven weeks new member class for me. The closing remarks in the training material say, “It is now time for both assignment and celebration”. I am looking forward to being available for our Lord to use me in any way He chooses.

However, I am not finished with writing something each day from the scriptures used in the seven week study. The official class ends, but the journey continues with this material at least to the end of this year.

What a glorious topic to conclude the seven weeks. The topic, “Our Lord Jesus in resurrected glory”, what a blessing this is to every believer.

We serve a living Savior. I read a comment last night about this fact that got my attention. The writer said that as a believer he gets to be the host every day of Jesus because Jesus lives in his heart. He referenced the words of the hymn which says, “You ask me how I know He lives, He lives within my heart”.

The scriptures also confirm that Christ does indeed live in the heart of His believing children. This one is one of my favorites.

Galatians 2:20 (NASB) ²⁰ “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

What an awesome thing to know that Jesus is alive and He lives in my heart. My position in Christ provides all that I need to face the future with confidence. God has done such a wonderful thing for those who trust in Christ for salvation. He exchanges my sins for Christ righteousness.

2 Corinthians 5:21 (NASB) ²¹ He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

I am ready to serve Him in this place where He has planted me. I am so thankful that Christ Jesus lives in me, and that He has given me the Helper as a constant companion.

Romans 8:16 (NASB) ¹⁶ The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God,

John 14:15-16 (NASB) ¹⁵ “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.¹⁶ “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever;

My prayer in response to the Word of God:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I praise and thank You that You are a forever God. You have promised in Your Word that You would go with us all the way, not part of the way, but all of the way through this life, and that You would give us everlasting life.

Ephesians 3:20-21 (NASB) ²⁰ Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us,²¹ to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.

I Serve a Risen Savior (Click on link below for lyrics and midi):

http://www.hymnal.net/hymn.php/h/503

The Word of God says:

Isaiah 53:7 (NASB) ⁷ He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He did not open His mouth; Like a lamb that is led to slaughter, And like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, So He did not open His mouth.

My reflections on the Word of God:

In this book of prophecy, the prophet Isaiah in this verse is describing the volunteer nature of the sacrifice of Jesus. It also shows the power of silence in communications. Even under suffering Jesus kept silence. This is the picture of the suffering and the silent servant.

Our Savior when He walked the face of the earth opened His mouth to witness, but He never opened  His mouth to complain.

Luke 23:35 (NASB) ³⁵ And the people stood by, looking on. And even the rulers were sneering at Him, saying, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if this is the Christ of God, His Chosen One.”

Since Jesus was willing to do so much for us, how much are we willing to do for others in His name? He has left us such wonderful examples to imitate.

1 Peter 2:21 (NASB) ²¹ For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps,

We can learn an invaluable lesson from Jesus about when silence is the best response to unbelievers and critics. See again how He fulfilled the prophecy of our focal verse.

Matthew 27:12-14 (NASB) ¹² And while He was being accused by the chief priests and elders, He did not answer.¹³ Then Pilate said* to Him, “Do You not hear how many things they testify against You?”¹⁴ And He did not answer him with regard to even a single charge, so the governor was quite amazed.

My prayer in response to the Word of God:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, O how wonderful it is to see how much Jesus loves and cares for us.

Father God, I am so grateful for the voluntary sacrifice of Jesus.

Father God, I ask that You move in the hearts of Your people to create in us the desire and the willingness to offer up to You our voluntary sacrificial service.

Follow On (Click on link below for lyrics and midi):

http://biblestudycharts.com/SH_Follow_On.html

The Word of God says:

Matthew 20:28 (NASB) ²⁸ just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

My reflections on the Word of God:

The verse shows us another example that Christ has left for His followers. The subject of this example is true greatness.

There are degrees of service. Some Christians serve the Lord more than others, and their rewards will be greater.

However, no matter how much of your time and yourself that you give in ministry and in service to others, you will never even approach the level of service and sacrifice that Jesus gave.

Notice in our focal verse three ways in which Jesus demonstrated His greatness. He came to earth, He came to serve, and He gave His life a ransom for many.

How great and significant was His coming.

John 1:1 (NASB) ¹ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

John 1:14 (NASB) ¹⁴ And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.

He is the King of King and Lord of Lords, but yet he secured His kingdom through humble service. Don’t expect people to reward you for your sacrificial service to them. Look how they treated Jesus.

Matthew 8:20 (NASB) ²⁰ Jesus said* to him, “The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”

Although the people you minister and serve may not reward you, the God who you serve will reward you. The people who Jesus came to give His life mistreated Him, but God exalted Him.

Philippians 2:8-9 (NASB) ⁸ Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.⁹ For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name,

My prayer in response to the Word of God:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so grateful for the sacrifice and service of Jesus.

Father God, I am so thankful that You love us enough to allow us to share in fulfilling Your purpose in seeking, saving, and serving a lost world.

So Send I You (Click on link below for lyrics and midi):

http://biblestudycharts.com/SH_So_Send_I_You.html

The Word of God says:

Matthew 9:36 (NASB) ³⁶ Seeing the people, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd.

My reflections on the Word of God:

In this passage we see Jesus providing for us an example of how we should relate to people. I have a note in my bible next to our focal passage. It is something that Oswald Chambers said about this passage.

“Our Lord calls us to no special work - - He calls us to Himself.”

John 13:16 (NASB) ¹⁶ “Truly, truly, I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him.

When Jesus walked the face of the earth He looked at the people and saw how needy they were. He did not see them as masses or groups, but He saw them as individuals. When Jesus looked at a crowd His eyes and his heart did not overlook anyone.

Jesus saw people that others has misused and abused. Instead of lifting their burdens, they had added to their already heavy load. Jesus saw people who life had weighed them down, sin had weighed them down, and religion had weighed them down. Jesus was different, He was a burden lifter.

If you want to be a true servant of Christ, and a Christ follower, then pattern your life after the life of our Savior. Learn to look at people the way Jesus looked at them. Learn to serve people the way Jesus served them. We who know the Way should point others to the Way.

Matthew 11:28-29 (NASB) ²⁸ “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.²⁹ “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and You will find rest for your souls.

Revelation 22:17 (NASB) ¹⁷ The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost.

My prayer in response to the Word of God:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I praise and thank You for the love and compassion that You have for Your beloved children.

Father God, I thank You for Jesus, and for the difference He can make in the lives of people who are hurting, and weighed down with the heavy load of sin, guilt, and with life.

Lord, I pray that any who is feeling hopeless will come to the only one who is willing and able to help them. I pray that they will come to Jesus.

Burdens are Lifted at Calvary (Click on link below for lyrics and midi):

http://biblestudycharts.com/SH_Burdens_Are_Lifted_At_Calvary.html

The Word of God says:

Hebrews 4:15 (NASB) ¹⁵ For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.

My reflections on the Word of God:

This week is the seventh and last week of my new member orientation training course, “Committed to Membership”.

The overall topic for this week is “Your All for Christ”.

“From Christ we have received full forgiveness. In return you are asked to follow Him devotedly and serve Him faithfully. The manner in which you can please Him most is dedicated faithfulness through His church.”

The above quote is from the training material for the new member training session for this week. It is a challenge to follow up this training with committed service to our Lord through His church.

It is fitting that we look to the head of the church, Jesus, for our example. Our focal verse is such an encouragement to me in my life and in my service to Christ. The comfort comes from knowing that Christ knows me completely.

Additionally, He knows everything that I face in living in this fallen world. He knows the trials and the temptations I face. Whenever I need Him, He is available to help me through the trial or through the temptation.

Hebrews 7:25 (NASB) ²⁵ Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.

Hebrews 13:20-21 (NASB) ²⁰ Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord,²¹ equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

Hebrews 4:16 (NASB) ¹⁶ Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

My prayer in response to the Word of God:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so glad that we have such a wonderful example in Jesus Christ, our Savior.

Father God, I am so glad that Jesus knows me and cares about me more than anyone in the whole world. Lord, I thank You that You know my name, and that You hear me when I call upon You in the name of Jesus.

He Knows My Name (Click on link below to watch and listen to this worship song):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkw3a4raWfg

The Word of God says:

2 Timothy 2:15 (NKJV) ¹⁵ Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

My reflections on the Word of God:

Today we close out this week of reflection on the topic, “Your Home and Your Church”. We have talked about the need to strengthen the homes and the churches of our communities. This begins with the strengthening of believers one by one. This begins in the home with the support and cooperation of the church.

A solid foundation upon which we can build our lives is to learn early in life how to rightly divide the Word of God.

The King James Version, the way I memorized this passage as a child, says to “study to shew thyself approved unto God”.

2 Timothy 2:15 (AMP) ¹⁵ Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing [rightly handling and skillfully teaching] the Word of Truth.

The goodnews is that we don’t have to rely on human instruments alone to help us achieve this God ordained purpose for our life. Whenever God command His people to do something, He always provides the means to accomplish what He commands. Notice what Paul say to Timothy before he gave the encouragement to rightly divide the Word of God.

2 Timothy 2:1 (NKJV) ¹ You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

God’s grace will strengthen and enable you to be an approved worker for God who rightly divides the Word of Truth.

Jeremiah 3:15 (NASB) ¹⁵ “Then I will give you shepherds after My own heart, who will feed you on knowledge and understanding.

Jeremiah 15:16 (NASB) ¹⁶ Your words were found and I ate them, And Your words became for me a joy and the delight of my heart; For I have been called by Your name, O Lord God of hosts.

Acts 17:11 (NASB) ¹¹ Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.

My prayer in response to the Word of God:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I pray for grace to be able rightly divides the Word of Truth.

Father God, I am so grateful for those who contributed to my growth and development in the studying and in the sharing of the Word of God.

Most of all, Father God, I am thankful for the amazing grace of God that saved me, keeps me, and enables me to be what You want me to be, and to do what You want me to do.

Grace Greater than Our Sin (Click on link below for lyrics and midi):

http://biblestudycharts.com/SH_Grace_Greater_Than_Our_Sin.html