MARCH 13 | LUKE 12:22-34

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DAILY READING

Luke 12:22-34

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REFLECTION

by Judy Webb

TRASH OR TREASURE

“And don’t be concerned about what to eat and what to drink. Don’t worry about such things. These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world, but your Father already knows your needs.” Luke 12:29-30 (NLT)

I know this verse is about fear and trusting in God to supply our needs during difficult seasons, but I was impacted by these words because of my obsession with diet and dieting. I know much of my health trouble is because my poor dietary decisions over the years. I realized this as I participated in my 3rd attempt at a “40-Day Sugar Fast”. I am following a book by Wendy Speaks, which attempts to reveal our struggles with sugar. It pointed out to me how sweets had become an idol. As I read and reread this guide, I also discovered other idols; those things that drew my focus off God.

Do you know which things are idols in your life? We all have them. There was a time my work filled that bill. Then my retirement account. Now I find I am obsessed over future health. As I age, I notice little things start to be big things. Feeling good and keeping my mobility as the years tick by is something I treasure and sometimes it takes my focus off God and His plan for me.

So, what do you treasure? What can you point to as an idol? Do you long for a better life, a bank account bursting at the seams? I am discovering life is more than all the treasures we pine after. If you read between the lines of verses 22-25 there is the subtle and unseen inference that ‘tonight you might die’ and then what happens to all the treasures you squirreled away?

The more I read these passages, I realize, for me, this scripture isn’t so much about fear as it is about TRUST. “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need” (Luke 12:31)

PRAYER

Dear Lord,

There is so much to learn in Your Word. You answer all questions we have on every topic under the sun. Each time we dig deeper, it is like a treasure hunt coming to life. We uncover more truths with every page-turn. Amen.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

JUDY WEBB

I have been a member of UALC for 26 years and have been writing devotions for this site for about 17 of them. Writing is my passion. As retired staff I still love everything about UALC and its members including my small group.

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March 12 | Luke 12:1-21

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DAILY READING

Luke 12:1-21

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REFLECTION

Whom Shall I Fear? 

By Beth Voltmann

Many of the things that Jesus said and taught were difficult to hear and understand. May we have open ears and soft hearts to receive the truth of these “red letter” words from our Savior and know that he is speaking to us as friends.

“I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who after your body has been killed,

has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.”

 (Luke 12:4-5)

Will we build our lives on shifting sand or on the solid Rock?

I am reminded of two close friends, both in their 60s, who recently passed away:

The one died a year and a half ago. Raised in a Jewish home, he would never truly listen when my husband repeatedly tried to share the Gospel but, instead, would joke about what a “boy scout” Mark was. Over the years, we watched as he chose to chase wealth, travel, and other empty pleasures of this world in the hopes that he would find contentment. Little did he know that, during a business trip, a bus would take his life as he stepped off a curb. We pray that the Lord changed his heart during the week he spent in a coma before his death, but he left behind a meaningless legacy for his broken-hearted family.

The other friend died just two weeks ago. He loved and served the Lord Jesus with his life. All who knew or met him were greatly impacted by his positive spirit and constant hope. After enduring a double lung transplant five years ago and a recent battle with leukemia, a critical infection finally claimed his life. Through it all, he never took his eyes off of Jesus. He left a precious legacy of faith for his family.

“I tell you, whoever publicly acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man will also acknowledge before the angels of God.

But whoever disowns me before others will be disowned before the angels of God.”

(Luke 12:8-9)

“What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?”

(Matthew 16:26)

PRAYER

Father, your Word says that “the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.” (Proverbs 9:10) 

I pray for my friends and neighbors who so desperately need your wisdom and ask that my own life would be guided by a holy fear of you so that I can say with confidence...

“Twas grace that taught my heart to fear

And grace my fears relieved.” (From Amazing Grace)

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

BETH VOLTMANN

After moving to Ohio in 1997 with my husband and four children, I developed a hunger for God’s Word through adult teaching and women’s Bible study at UALC. My passion is to help others understand Scripture so that they may grow in their desire for more of God and experience the new life offered to us through Christ Jesus.

March 11 | Luke 11:29-53

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DAILY READING

Luke 11:29-53

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REFLECTION

 The Sign of Jonah

By Pam Mann

When Luke started his good news account to Theophilus, he wrote “that you might know the certainty of the things which you have been taught.” (Luke 1:4) Here, in Luke 11, with its bad news woes from Jesus, Theophilus and subsequent readers, like ourselves, can be assured that Luke is giving the straight story. No sugar coating here. No spin.

If you fall short of what is needed, a good coach will let you know.

The crowds increase and they want to see more signs and wonders.

So, Jesus offers to all of us, who are falling short of what is needed, the sign of Jonah.  But Jesus does not compare our wicked generation to Jonah. No. He compares us to the foreign depraved Ninevites! And that’s not all. He prophesies that at the judgment the vile Ninevites, our enemies, will rise up and condemn us. Us! Those dastardly Ninevites, who had only barely escaped destruction, thanks to Jonah’s preaching, will condemn us! This Jesus dares to condemn us, the offspring of Abraham, the chosen people of God?  

Jesus warns us that there is one greater than Jonah here.

The Jonah story, however, is not enough of an example. Jesus cites also another example in the Queen of the South, another foreigner, in awe of Solomon’s wisdom. Jesus says that she also will rise up at the judgment to condemn this wicked generation.

Jesus warns us that there is one greater than Solomon here.

Nobody wants to be labeled wicked. We want to believe we’re basically good, headed in the right direction to do what is right. But, when we’re headed the wrong way, we need someone to stop us, to call us back, before we drive off a cliff to our own destruction.

Jesus says one statement of woe after another in Luke 11 to warn his hearers. He wants to call them back to safety, to save them from destruction. Luke reports in Luke 11:53-54 that the Pharisees and law experts began to oppose him even more fiercely after this encounter.

May God rescue us from such a foolish reaction to God’s pronouncement of judgment in our lives. May we instead embrace the truth in James 1:22-24. Do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.  Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.

PRAYER

Precious Jesus, thank you that You are greater than Jonah, greater than Solomon, and greater than our willful brokenness. Work in our proud hearts that we might know profoundly our need for Your grace and mercy.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

PAM MANN

I first joined UALC when my husband (then my fiancé) and I were college students involved in youth ministry. God has used UALC to nurture our family’s faith, even in our years outside the U.S. I’ve participated in UALC ministries with kids, art, prayer, exercise, ESL, and Bible teaching. I do all the fun church things.

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