WOLC New Testament Reading

In Luke 10 we find the story of the good Samaritan. This story is probably familiar to you if you grew up in the church. In this story we see 3 different people that could have helped the stranger. Let’s look at these characters and ask the Lord which one we are most like. First, we see the Priest and Levite. Both the Priest and Levite had a chance to act, seeing this man in the state that he was in, but they made the decision to pass by as if nothing was happening. Even passing by on the other side of the road. Then comes the Samaritan. The one who should have been most likely to walk on the other side of the road. But he decides to help the man in need? Not only help him, but the Samaritan put him up in an inn and told the innkeeper he would cover whatever was left. So which one are you? Luke 10:36-37 (English Standard Version) Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?”   He said, “The one who showed him m

Luke 4-9 -- Dealing with Temptation Have you ever begun a new project with complete and total enthusiasm? I do it all the time. I get obsessed when I find a new hobby; just ask my wife. I throw myself all in. However, some obstacle usually gets in the way and I give up. The sad truth to this comical routine is that it happens to God’s plans in our lives. We get on fire for Christ, only to let our flame burn out. But why? Luke 4 provides an answer; The Tempter. His name is Satan and he loves to pull our attention off what truly matters and towards ourselves. Jesus’ temptations in the wilderness show how Satan is still working in the same ways today. Temptation 1: Priorities. Jesus was 40 days without food or water. He needed it and had the power to make some out of the rocks. Satan knew this and waved that power in front of him. Thankfully, Jesus knew that food and water are not the most important things. “Man does not live on bread alone” (Luke 4:4 / Deuteronomy 8:3, NIV). For us

You might have been wondering why we are reading the Gospels out of the order they are arranged in the Bible. Why did we jump from Mark to John and now back to Luke? Well, the answer is given in “Video: Luke 1-9” where we learn that Luke and Acts are a “unified, two volume work” both written by the same author, Luke. So, it makes sense to read parts 1 and 2 together. Luke writes to a man named Theophilus who is mentioned at the beginning of both volumes. This is one reason we believe both books were written by the same author. (Note: Luke does not mention his name in either book). Acts begins “In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and teach ” (1:1). This opening verse summarizes the book of Luke and implies that the work of Jesus continues in the book of Acts. Although Jesus was “taken up to heaven” (Acts 1:2) His work continues on earth. BUT HOW? ANSWER--” But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses….”

  “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35, English Standard Version) If I asked you what Christians are known for what would you say? Politics, service, being judgmental, or hypocritical might be common answers. But rarely will people say that Christians are known by their love for one another. See, I believe that this verse makes a HUGE STATEMENT! We are to be known by our love for one another. Well, then we must ask the question, what is love? Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.   (1 Corinthians 13:4-8a, English Standard Version) Love is a choice. Not an easy choice, but it is the right choice. We don’t always realize that pe

In Mark chapter 9 Jesus comes across a man that was born blind. The disciples, thinking that this was a sin issue, tried to find out why. Here is the beginning of the story… As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth.   And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”   Jesus answered,  “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. (Mark 9:1-3 English Standard Version). Throughout life, we go through different situations where it can be very difficult to see the good in it. We don’t always know why God does what He does. But we see here in Mark 9 that difficult situations in our lives can be a way to glorify God. What trials are you going through right now? Give it to God. Thank Him for who He is and ask Him to take that situation and use it for His glory!

We have survived “Groundhog’s Day”. The pleasant memories of the “Super Bowl” are still talked about in circles of sports enthusiasts, and some have hope that “Valentine’s Day” is not forgotten. So, we have markers of winters passing, and we hope for spring. To the “Christian world” a monumental reminder of fresh rebirth moves on the horizon of our longing for spring. The master piece of all of God’s creation the gift of new life over death. We have read in Mark 15 the account of the brutal forces of sin, man, and evil on Christ. Allowing Himself to be engulfed in the rage of this seemingly defeating event. But as in the beginning “God created” He established a season of life and salvation a departure from the old winter of this earth, defeating the sin that tried to silence Him. As we look forward to spring so did Christ’s friends look for a new day, and we find ourselves in Mark 16. Compelled by love and concern “the women of faith” pressed back to where their savior was laid. De

Did you know that none of the four Gospel writers give us a description of what Jesus looked like? Now, some of you are thinking “I know… I have His picture hanging on my wall!” Well, sorry to burst your bubble but no artist has ever painted an accurate portrait of Jesus. It was while I was reading the account of the Transfiguration in Mark 9 that I started to think about what our Lord looked like while here on earth. The parallel passage we read earlier in Matthew 17: 2 says “His face shone like the sun.” This, of course, was not the way he “normally” looked. Luke 9:29b tells us “the appearance of his face changed.” The disciples on this high mountain saw Jesus in His glorified state, not His natural state. They were discouraged after being reminded of Jesus’ suffering and death and needed this “mountaintop” experience. But, what did Jesus look like before the change; while he was walking up the side of the mountain with the three disciples? We can infer that He had a darker skin

As I read in the gospel of Mark I notice words that jump off the pages at me. Words like "amazed" and "authority". The people hearing Jesus speak were amazed because He spoke with such authority. I think how sad that their own teachers were so caught up in enforcing the Law that they disregarded the intent of God's precious Words in the OT. The people were not amazed with their own teachers and they lacked authority. Then the words "listen", "hear", and "ears" stand out. In Chapter 4, verse 3, Jesus starts the Parable of the Sower with the word "Listen" and ends it in verse 9 by saying "He who has 'ears' to 'hear' let him 'hear'." As He explains the parable to the disciples I notice at the end of verse 20 He says: "Others, like seed sown on good soil, 'hear' the word, accept it, and produce a crop." Then again in verse 24 He says: "Consider carefully what you