March 1 | Luke 9:21-22

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DAILY READING

Luke 9:21-22

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REFLECTION

God's Plan

by Dave Thompson 

The first line of the passage states: "Jesus strictly warned them not to tell this to anyone." (v. 21) We have to go up a few verses to see what Jesus was warning them about. We see the passage Terry Starr worked with for her February 28 devotional. We see the not so sharp disciples shooting off answers that were not what Jesus was looking for. They began with "Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and still others say one of the prophets of long ago has come back to life..." But Jesus clarified His question to "But what about you?" He asked, "who do you say I am?" at this Peter spoke up with "God's Messiah." (v. 18-20) In another place in the scriptures, Peter said, "You are the Messiah, Son of the living God." (Matt. 16:13-20)

So my question to you is why? Why did He want that identification hidden? I am not sure. Possibly it was because the people said things like John the Baptist, Elijah or one of the long ago prophets. Everyone but the Pharisees could understand that, but saying that He was the Messiah, the Son of the living God, might have put things into action earlier than was wanted. You see God has a plan. Jesus knew what it was and He knew it wasn't His time just yet.

As usual, it reminds me of a story. My daughter, Cathy, went to the hospital for a relatively minor procedure when she was eight years old. All was seemingly going well when a nurse came to the waiting room and called our names. There was no alarm yet, but then she spoke and told us that the anesthesia went terribly wrong. She asked us to come to the recovery area and try calling her name. We did and even shook her. The nurse went on to say that she was without oxygen to her brain for nearly five minutes. The tears started flowing as these words sunk in. My loving, bright daughter was in a coma. We sat in that hospital for a number of days without any change. But then my uncle, that I have spoken about before, prayed for a miraculous healing. This was the fourth night. People were praying all over the U.S, but we had begun to lose hope as the days passed, but then my Uncle Dave prayed! It was the morning of the fifth day that miraculously, she woke up and spoke clearly to us. We had her read books to us. Praise God, my little girl was back.

Why did God allow my daughter, my church, folks around the U.S. and us to wait an excruciating four and a half days? It was to show His power and His timing (Plan) for everyone involved, and for all she has touched in her life since (she is now 50 years old). God is sovereign and as I said last week in another devotional, He is an AMAZING God.

Why did God have a man blind since birth meet Jesus on the road and he asked Him for healing. He was 36 years old at the time. After Jesus healed him, His disciples asked what he had done or his parents had done to produce 36 years of blindness. Jesus responded that it was to fulfill His purpose; and nothing else. I certainly don't understand 36 years of blindness, but God does. In the good and the bad times, He has a plan and He will give you the strength to work through it. His Word says that He will give us nothing more than we can stand. (1 Cor. 10:13) I have patterned my life on that and many other promises. It has always gotten me through my 70+ years.

Prayer

Dear God, I am glad it worked out for my daughter, but I know that the story doesn't always end that way. Give a special blessing to those struggling with loss. Be with all of us as we travel this world. You have a plan for each of us and it is good!

Amen and Amen!

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

DAVE THOMPSON

I am the administrator of the Daily Worship Blog. My wife, Carla, and I have been attending UALC for seven years at the 9 o'clock service at Mill Run. We have two children, Catherine and Aaron. I have been a Christian for 53 years and am thankful that my Savior has given me two spiritual gifts that have carried me both spiritually and vocationally all my life: they are teaching and administration. I look forward to spending many years here at UALC to serve my Lord and Savior.

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February 28 | Luke 9:18-20

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Daily Reading

Luke 9:18-20

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REFLECTION

Who Do YOU Say That I Am?

By Terry Starr

"Who do YOU say that I am?"  With this question, Jesus challenges His disciples into a deeper personal reflection of who He is as the Son of God.  Jesus is asking them if they truly understand He is the promised Messiah and invites them to seek a better comprehension of His divine nature by encouraging self-reflection. 

This question is pivotal in the Gospel message as Jesus begins to reveal His true identity as the Christ and His mission on earth. It is spoken at a time just after the disciples have witnessed many miracles and wonders.  Jesus invites the disciples to declare their personal faith in Him as the Christ. The Messiah.  Jesus directs the question of His identity to His disciples, emphasizing the personal nature of their faith. The question challenges the disciples to look beyond what others are saying and consider their own understanding and belief. Do they have the personal conviction of seeking to know who Jesus truly is?  With faith in a Holy God who throughout scripture has proclaimed a Savior will come, do the disciples really understand that Jesus IS the promised Messiah?  Peter answers passionately: "You are the Christ!"

He poses the same question to you and me.  "Who do YOU say that I am?"

WHO IS Jesus to you? We may speak the name of Jesus as The Christ.  The Messiah.  The Son of God.  But do you KNOW Him as your Savior?  Does He live in your heart?  Do you have a deep personal relationship with Him? Do you spend each day knowing God the Father, Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit are living through you?  Do we have the personal conviction of seeking to know Jesus intimately?  These questions can be challenging and cause great self-reflection.  Are you willing to proclaim this message aloud no matter where you are or who you are with?  Do we answer passionately:  "You are the Christ!" 

Jesus is asking his disciples to profess their faith aloud that He is the Messiah while He still lived among them.  For us, we need to not only proclaim our faith that Jesus is the Son of God, but also believe that He came to earth in human form, suffered and died for our sins and ALL sin so that we might have eternal life.  This is the Good News of Christ.

With Christ living in our hearts, we are compelled to share God's love and the hope of Jesus with the world.  This can be a daunting and uncomfortable challenge.  Our country is focused on personal freedom. We are cautious about sharing our views, especially "religious views", with others.  We certainly don't want to offend our friends, neighbors, or people at work.  We usually don't have time for a long conversation or explanation when we are always in such a hurry. What would we say?  We can share God's love with the people around us by showing kindness, grace and mercy.  Is that enough?  Are we comfortable and bold enough to proclaim

JESUS CHRIST IS LORD!

            •Imagine that at every encounter, Jesus is standing beside you.

            •Imagine that Jesus is asking you:  "Who do YOU say that I am?" 

            •Imagine that you know the day that Jesus is coming back? 

            •Imagine that day is tomorrow.

Would you feel more compelled and have a stronger passion about sharing who Jesus is if you knew that He would return tomorrow?  Or if you knew that the person you meet only has the chance to know about Jesus by you?  Would your desire to share the lifesaving message of Christ become more urgent and acceptable?  Jesus wants every person on earth to know He is their Savior.  Will you proclaim aloud and boldly?  Jesus is the Christ!

This is our mission:  To be and make disciples of Jesus Christ.

Luke 9:18-20 'Once when Jesus was praying in private and his disciples were with him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say I am?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, that one of the prophets of long ago has come back to life.” “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “God’s Messiah.” '

Romans 10:9

If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

1 John 4:15

If anyone confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.

PRAYER

Dear Lord Jesus,

We pray that our hearts and minds will be open to grow in our personal relationship with you.  We commit ourselves to spend more time in your Word, in prayer, and sharing about WHO YOU ARE.   We seek to know you better so that we have a deeper understanding of you as the Son of God, the Messiah and the Christ.  Please give us opportunities each day to share WHO YOU ARE with others.  Help us to proclaim WHO YOU ARE to the world without hesitation and uncertainty but with humbleness and conviction.  May your love surround us each day and give us peace.

Through Christ we pray,

Amen

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

TERRY STARR

I am a longtime member of UALC, along with my husband Alan. We raised our four children here and have seven grandchildren who live across the country. I have served in many ministries and service organizations throughout my life. At God's calling, I started a non-profit named Divine Dignity, which gives free hygiene to our neighbors in need while sharing God's love. I retired as an administrator from the UA Schools after 25 years.

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FEBRUARY 27 | LUKE 9:10-17

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DAILY READING

Luke 9:10-17

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REFLECTION

You Feed Them!

by Judy Webb

In Luke 9 Jesus’ followers were called Disciples: learners. When they returned from their mission, they were called Apostles: those sent with authority and a message. While still disciples, they were acquainted with the message and the authority in a much better way. Their work in the world taught them much.

Now, having just returned from their work in the world, Jesus offers the disciples a few days of R and R. As they head out alone, what happens? The crowds got wind of it and followed. So, Jesus welcomed them, began teaching and healing those who needed healing. Later in the day, the disciples recognized the people would soon be hungry, so they approached Jesus suggesting he send them to nearby villages for food. How did Jesus respond? “You give them something to eat.” (v.13)

Some portions of scripture will be familiar to us, but even those passages have much to teach if we take the time to study with fresh eyes. Today, I recognized the story of Jesus feeding 5000. But I never noticed that Jesus told his Apostles, “You give them something to eat.”

I know there is always more to the story, and I need only sit with it for a while, to construct a parallel with my life. I need to reflect on a problem, face it and begin applying the lessons from verses 14-17:

· Break your huge problems into little chunks that are easier to manage

Think it through from various angles

· Identify your resources and pray

Prayer is our most powerful tool and could just reveal more answers

· Ask God to provide what you need to accomplish His will

Perhaps you need someone to process this with

· Gather up the leftovers, for there will always be a surplus

When all is done, God will have provided more than was needed

Just when we think we are going up a mountain to rest and refresh, God takes us to our next adventure and reveals another life lesson. What a journey indeed!

PRAYER

Heavenly Father,

Continue to teach us from Your Word. Reveal truths we don't yet understand. Take us by the hand when needed, and set us up on a mountain top to view the world below. For what a sight it is! Amen.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

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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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