Tag Archives: the story of Jesus

Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer – Are You Distracted or Determined?

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“Few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke10:42 NIV

In order to enjoy the present moment and the gifts it contains, we need to have balanced attitudes toward work. Luke 10:38–42 tells the story of Jesus’ visit to the home of two sisters, Mary and Martha.

Martha was overly occupied and too busy (see Luke 10:40). But Mary sat down at Jesus’ feet and listened to what He had to say. Martha was distracted with much serving; Mary was thankful Jesus was there and was determined not to miss the beauty of the present moment. And Jesus said that Mary made a better choice than Martha did.

Jesus did not tell Martha not to work; He told her not to be frustrated and have a bad attitude while she worked. Jesus wants us to work hard, but He also wants us to be wise enough to realize when we should stop all activity and not miss the miracle of the moment.

Prayer of Thanks Thank You, Father, for the way You teach me to live my life in balance. Help me to do the work You have given me to do without letting it become a distraction to my relationship with You. Thank You that I can enjoy moments at Your feet each day.

 

Presidential Prayer Team

Presidential Prayer Team; H.L.M. – Miraculous Prayer

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All of the Gospels share the story of Jesus instructing the disciples to feed a crowd of at least 5,000 people. Yet the disciples saw only five loaves of bread and two fish. Then the miracle of the multiplying of the loaves and fish took place: Christ prayed toward heaven, broke the food…and ultimately each of the apostles picked up a dozen basketfuls of leftover pieces. Amazing!

He broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd.

Luke 9:16

Obviously, the disciples focused on what they lacked, but Jesus saw what they had. The apostles focused on the problem rather than on God. However, this impossible situation was simply an opportunity for the Lord to reveal His character and for Jesus to give the disciples the privilege to help meet the needs of the people.

Luke 1:37 says, “For nothing will be impossible with God.” Perhaps national events leave you feeling hopeless and helpless. However, your prayers can have a miraculous impact on many people. Faithfully intercede for receptive hearts among this country’s leaders. Be persistent and expectant. God will perform the miracles, but He can use you as a vessel!

Recommended Reading: Luke 18:1-8

Greg Laurie

Greg Laurie – Little Messes

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He went into the temple and began to drive out those who bought and sold in it, saying to them, “It is written, ‘My house is a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a ‘den of thieves.'” —Luke 19:45–46

My wife Cathe and I are polar opposites when it comes to cleaning. My approach could be summed up by the procrastinator’s motto: Never do today what you could put off until tomorrow. Cathe’s approach is to constantly clean and organize so that over time, little messes don’t become big ones. Obviously, her approach is the better one.

In Luke 19 we find the story of Jesus’ cleaning the house of God as He went into the temple and drove out the moneychangers. These temple merchants were taking advantage of people and keeping them from God, and this angered Jesus.

This is the second time in Scripture when Jesus cleansed the temple. In the gospel of John, we read that He used a whip to drive out the moneychangers. Little messes turn into big messes, so Jesus arrived to clean house again.

I believe there is a parallel to our own lives. When we come to Christ initially, we ask for His forgiveness and He pardons us of all our iniquities. In fact, we are told in 2 Corinthians

5:17, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” What a wonderful thing it is to realize that God has forgiven us of all our sin.

But as a little time passes, sometimes some of those old sins can find their way back into our lives. And that so-called “little” sin begins to grow and becomes a problem.

Does your temple need cleansing? Are there some things in your life that shouldn’t be there right now? Are there some vices, some bad habits that have found their way back into your life? If so, deal with them now.

Don’t let little messes turn into big ones.