Bible Studies

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The Gospels

Luke 21:5-19 - Holy Intentions - Holy Inspired
Key Verses: (NRSV)

• 6: "As for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down." - Our works in building God's kingdom are important but we must take care not to place too much importance on our accomplishments. What we build on earth other than relationships with God will provide only temporary fulfillment.
  
  
• 8: "And He said, 'Beware that you are not led astray; for many will come in my name and say, 'I am He!' and, 'The time is near!' Do not go after them." - Looking for signs of Christ's return is not an activity for building God's kingdom. It opens the door to wandering from the ministry for which we are truly intended.
  
  
• 12-13: "But before all this occurs, they will arrest you and persecute you; they will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will brought before kings and governors because of my name. ¹³This will give you an opportunity to testify." - Many things may happen but the one focus we should have as disciples for Christ is to always seek opportunities to testify.
  
  
• 14-15: "So make up your minds not to prepare your defense in advance; ¹⁵for I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict." - Again, taking time to prepare for a futuristic event is not necessary. As we focus simply on testifying for Christ the Holy Spirit will provide all the wisdom and guidance we will ever need.
  
  
• 19: "By your endurance you will gain your souls." - Endurance, perseverance, and unrelenting focus on the work before us in the building of the kingdom of heaven here on earth will reap its own rewards.
  

Points to Contemplate:

• What is your purpose in God's kingdom? Are you a teacher with the clarity of mind needed to share the Gospel in new and refreshing ways? Are you a musician with the ability to evoke the feeling of God through music or song? Do you cook, clean, organize, lead, direct, follow, participate, share, love, nurse, dream, prophesy, imagine, write, read, embrace, heal, trust, guide, instruct, befriend, or preach? In what ways do you use your God-given talents and gifts? Can you see that regardless of the blessings God has provided you, you must always be pointing people to Christ? Do you see that all work in the kingdom of heaven should be a testimony of faith?
  
  
• Are you being led astray? Do you find that you stray from one religious craze or fad to another with regular frequency? Have you gone from learning all you can about Jesus' life to seeking out prophesy and oracles that tell of His return? Has your focus shifted from how your life is changed by your relationship with Christ to trying to make others live by your standards and beliefs? Have you left your small neighborhood church and now seek God's truth only through televangelists or from the latest popular novel? Are you seeking truth or verification that you are backing the right team? Where is Jesus in today's verses telling you to place your focus in life? Do any of the modern fads in Christianity help you to serve your sole purpose of bringing people to Christ? Or, do they focus you more on proving yourself right and forcing the world to live by your standards and beliefs?
  
  
• Have you made up your mind? Do you know what to say and do in all circumstances? Have you prepared a litany of "Jesus" talk that you rattle off in breathless fashion whenever you are confronted or challenged by your faith? Have you memorized a few telling verses that you use to set sinners straight? Or, when you find you self in a crowd of "non" or "un-believers," do you quietly listen for God's Spirit to help you guide and lead people to Christ in a loving way? Have you experienced a time when the Holy Spirit filled you with "words and a wisdom that none of your opponents (were) able to withstand or contradict?"
  

Promises of the Gospel:

The disciples were sitting with Jesus and their hearts were filled with pride at the wonder of the great temple being built before them. The final touches were being done and they felt this building represented a great victory for the kingdom of God. The structure was unsurpassed in glory and magnificence. In a sense, Jesus popped their bubble of excitement as He redirected their focus away from man-made accomplishments and towards what is truly important - God's plans for our lives. Man-made agendas, goals, and accomplishments not only are fleeting but they distract and lead us from our true purpose. When we focus simply on testifying about Christ then the Holy Spirit will fill us with the strength and wisdom to endure all things and God's kingdom here on earth will meet the fulfillment of glory that God intends.

FUMC Devotionals

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