Two Different Types of People

Throughout Luke 6 Jesus is describing two different types of people. He describes legalistic people who are eager to follow the letter of the law while completely missing the heart behind the law comparing them to people who are living by God’s mercy.

For example, in Luke 6:1-10 we are given two stories that show people getting upset about Jesus doing things on the Sabbath. Jesus’ disciples were gathering some food from the field and Jesus healed a man on the Sabbath, and since this was considered work to some they felt Jesus was not properly following the law.

Jesus makes the point, however, that following the law is not really about doing or not doing certain things. The law was given as a way of following God. If you are following the steps given in the law but not following Jesus personally in your life, you are not really following the law. In other words, there are two different measures you can use in life (Luke 6:38).

You can use the measure based on personal merit, or you can use the measure based on God’s mercy. Jesus said in Luke 6:32-38, “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. . . . Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. . . . For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”

So Luke’s point being made in Luke 6 is that there are two different types of people. There are those who live by God’s grace and there are also those who try to live by their own merit. In Luke 6:37-47, Jesus gives us some questions to ask ourselves so we can know which type of person we are.

Prayer: "Father, I understand Your Word says You will judge me with the same measure I use to judge others. I also know by Your Word that I will be condemned with the same measure that I use to condemn others (Luke 6:37-38; I Corinthians 5:12). I know it is correct to judge things as right and wrong according to Your Word, but only You know the motives and intent of another's heart (Hebrews 4:12). I have judged others and condemned them. This is sin, and I repent of this sin and ask You to separate this sin from me in Jesus' name and put it on the cross of Jesus Christ." Amen ~Joan Hunter 

Encourage One Another

It is an enormous blessing that God, who said, “It is not good for the man to be alone” (Gen 2:18), has designed his Church to be a family. Understanding the susceptibility that humans have to the lies and blows of the evil one in isolation (Prov 18:1), he sent his Son to reconcile us, not only with himself but also with one another (2 Cor 5:18). This is to the praise of his glory. The Thessalonians were, “in fact” encouraging one another and building each other up already, but Paul exhorts them to continue to do so.

To encourage one another is to give courage where it is needed. The life to which God has called the Christian to be in this world, but not of it, requires moral courage. Encouragement can be given through prayer for one another, through speaking the truth in love (Eph 4:15), and through blessing others with words and deeds. These encouragements are often the difference-maker for someone who is on the edge of falling away. Along with encouragement, building one another up is part of God’s plan to grow us in Christlikeness, holiness, and perfection. This, along with evangelism, is the main goal for participation in the local church.

Breaking Down the Key Parts of 1 Thessalonians 5:11

#1 “Therefore…”

After the exhortation to stay awake and prepared for the day of the Lord, which will come like a “thief in the night” (1 Thes 5:2), Paul calls on them to be “children of the day” who have received the salvation of Christ. The instruction in verse 11 concludes the section.

#2 “…encourage one another and build each other up,”

The primary encouragement Paul commanded by Paul is so that they can be prepared for the return of Christ, which very well may come when they least expect it. The encouragement should be to live as Christians who await his coming, rather than the “children of the night” (1 Thes 5:5), who get drunk and live in darkness. It seems there may have been some problems to this end with the congregation in Thessalonica. 

#3 “just as in fact you are doing.”

Paul acknowledges that he is telling them something they already know. His message seems to be, “I know you are doing this, but keep it up, even do it more.”  ~ Connect Us

Father, I know Your Word says to say things that edify, build up, correct in love, and confirm (1 Thessalonians 5:11; 2 Timothy 4:2). Words of condemnations, slander, complaining, griping, and gossip or accusation are not of You. They are sin (James 5:9).

I have said words that did not edify, exhort, correct in love or confirm. I take responsibility for those words. They are sin. Take this sin from me, put it on the cross of Jesus, and on the day of judgment, hold no accusations against me. I renounce those words in Jesus' name. I ask you to bless those whom I have said bad words about."

People have said words about me that did not edify, exhort, correct in love or confirm. That is sin. Take the sin from them, put it on the cross of Jesus and on the day of judgment, hold no accusations against them. They are free. I choose to release them from this, and those words are no broken off me, in Jesus's name." ~Prayers Healing the Whole Man Handbook by Joan Hunter

A Heavenly Place | Enjoy the Journey

Enjoying the Journey by Lois Olmstead

A Heavenly Place

What do you know about heaven? Think about it. Give yourself some mental pictures. Your could make a list using concordance in the Bible.

Thoughts of heaven are a source of joy to me. No matter what life brings down here on earth, someday I will be in heaven. There are lots of mental pictures of heaven in my mind. I can almost feel the warmth of perfect love, the sunshine of our Saviors' glory and the marvelous happiness being in God's presence. Not to mention the peace that will come as we experience sin and being defeated forever. 

About the Author: Enjoy Time Out with international motivational speaker Lois Olmstead. Raised on a ranch in Montana, Lois entertains with her engaging sense of humor which strikes to the hearts of audiences everywhere. As a  speaker at over 3600 business conventions, retreats, medical events and Christian conferences, Lois shares how to live with joy and courage. Inspiriting others is part of her everyday life. 

Lois says finding an adventure isn't too hard to do...just look from where you are standing.  Lois has seven published books: "Breast  Cancer & Me", "The Dude, the Ducks" & Other Tales of Montana, "Denim & Lace" (co-authored with Phyllis Rowe), "Enjoying the Journey" - Time to Enjoy the Journey –  The Best of Time Out with Lois!,  and newly released "Wading Through Trouble".

She received the Hugh B. Anderson award which goes to one Montanan each year for outstanding courage and personal integrity while facing the challenge of cancer. Lois writes a  world-wide weekly blog and has authored 7 published books. ~Author Lois Olmstead

Today, let's just rejoice in some heavenly word pictures to increase our joy and hope in the future:

Revelation 14:13 The Passion Translation (TPT)

Then I heard a voice from the heavenly realm, saying, “Write this: Blessed are the dead—the ones dying in the Lord[a] from now on.”

“Yes,” says the Holy Spirit,[b] “they will rest from their trouble,[c] for their deeds will live on!”[d]

Footnotes:

[a] 14:13 The Aramaic can be translated “Master Yahweh.”

[b] 14:13 The Holy Spirit speaks twelve times in Revelation (1:10; 2:7, 11, 17, 29; 3:6, 13, 22; 4:2; 14:13; 17:3; 21:10; 22:17).

[c] 14:13 Or “hard work.”

[d] 14:13 Or “Their good deeds will follow [accompany] them.”

Revelation 22:17  The Passion Translation (TPT)

17 “Come,”[a] says the Holy Spirit and the Bride in divine duet. Let everyone who hears this duet join them in saying, “Come.” Let everyone gripped with spiritual thirst say, “Come.” And let everyone who craves the gift of living water[b] come and drink it freely. “Come.”

Footnotes

[a] 22:17 Or “be continuously coming”; also in each instance of the word come in this verse and v. 20.

[b] 22:17 See John 7:37.