Shows
Applying the BibleAccording to the Commandment
The women who had come with him from Galilee followed and saw the tomb and how his body was laid. Then they returned and prepared spices and ointments. On the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment. (Luke 23:55-56)
Grief has a way of driving us toward action. We want to do something to process the pain, to care for what’s been lost, or sometimes to cling to a sense of control. The women who followed Jesus from Galilee were no different. They had just watched their beloved Teacher suffer and die, and their hearts longed to...2025-08-0705 min
Applying the BibleIf He Is The Christ
And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!” The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.” One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” (Luke 23:35-39)
As Jesus hung on the cross, bloody and beaten, the...2025-07-1006 min
Applying the BibleThe Lord Turned and Looked
Then they seized him and led him away, bringing him into the high priest’s house, and Peter was following at a distance. And when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them. Then a servant girl, seeing him as he sat in the light and looking closely at him, said, “This man also was with him.” But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know him.” And a little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not.”...2025-05-2907 min
Applying the BibleNot God of the Dead, But of the Living
There came to him some Sadducees, those who deny that there is a resurrection, and they asked him a question, saying, “Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies, having a wife but no children, the man must take the widow and raise up offspring for his brother. Now there were seven brothers. The first took a wife, and died without children. And the second and the third took her, and likewise all seven left no children and died. Afterward the woman also died. In the resurrection, therefore, whose wife will the woman be? For the...2025-02-0607 min
Applying the BibleTell Us By What AuthorityOne day, as Jesus was teaching the people in the temple and preaching the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes with the elders came up and said to him, “Tell us by what authority you do these things, or who it is that gave you this authority.” He answered them, “I also will ask you a question. Now tell me, was the baptism of John from heaven or from man?” And they discussed it with one another, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Why did you not believe him?’ But if we say, ‘From man,’ all the people will st...2025-01-0909 min
Applying the BibleJust as He Told Them
And when he had said these things, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. When he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount that is called Olivet, he sent two of the disciples, saying, “Go into the village in front of you, where on entering you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever yet sat. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ you shall say this: ‘The Lord has need of it.’” So those who were sent went away and found it just as he had told...2024-12-1213 min
Applying the BibleWill He Find Faith?
And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’...2024-09-2608 min
Applying the BibleOne Will Be Taken and the Other Left
I tell you, in that night there will be two in one bed. One will be taken and the other left. There will be two women grinding together. One will be taken and the other left.” And they said to him, “Where, Lord?” He said to them, “Where the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.” (Luke 17:34-37)
Jesus had already spoken of His second coming as Messiah in which He told us not to follow the world when they say, “Look, there!” or “Look, here!” But there’s yet another event that will happen before that Day of the Lord and...2024-09-1910 min
Applying the BibleWe are Unworthy Servants
“Will any one of you who has a servant plowing or keeping sheep say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and recline at table’? Will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare supper for me, and dress properly, and serve me while I eat and drink, and afterward you will eat and drink’? Does he thank the servant because he did what was commanded? So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.’” (Luke 17:7-10)
Before we jump...2024-08-1509 min
Applying the BibleIncrease Our Faith
The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” And the Lord said, “If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you. (Luke 17:5-6)
Have you ever heard someone say something like, “All it takes a mustard seed of faith”? This is where that is coming from, BUT the meaning gets lost in well-meaning statements like that.
Mustard Seed Faith
When we think of a mustard seed, it’s really tiny – approximately 1mm in length. And Jes...2024-08-0807 min
Applying the BibleLet Them Hear
“There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores. The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried, and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he...2024-07-2514 min
Applying the BibleGod Knows Your Heart, Part 1
The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all these things, and they ridiculed him. And he said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God. “The Law and the Prophets were until John; since then the good news of the kingdom of God is preached, and everyone forces his way into it. But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one dot of the Law to become void. (Luke 16:14-17)
Jesu...2024-07-1112 min
Applying the BibleJesus Above AllNow great crowds accompanied him, and he turned and said to them, “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all wh...2024-05-0909 min
Applying the BibleAre You a Guest?
When one of those who reclined at table with him heard these things, he said to him, “Blessed is everyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God!” But he said to him, “A man once gave a great banquet and invited many. And at the time for the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’ But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it. Please have me excused.’ And another sa...2024-04-2514 min
Applying the BibleWhat is the Kingdom of God LikeHe said therefore, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? It is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his garden, and it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches.” And again he said, “To what shall I compare the kingdom of God? It is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, until it was all leavened.” (Luke 13:18-21)
I’ve often heard this section taught that the kingdom of God sta...2024-03-1411 min
Applying the BibleAcknowledge or Deny
And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God, but the one who denies me before men will be denied before the angels of God. And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. (Luke 12:8-10)
This week’s verses flow directly from the context Jesus spoke in the verses we looked at last week. He had admonished us to not fear men, but to fear Go...2023-12-1407 min
Applying the BibleFear God, Not Man
I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him! Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows. (Luke 12:4-7)
When we think of someone killing us, that...2023-12-0708 min
Applying the BibleBeware of the Leaven
In the meantime, when so many thousands of the people had gathered together that they were trampling one another, he began to say to his disciples first, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops. (Luke 12:1-3)
Immediately before this, at the end of Luke 11, Jesus was proclaiming woes to the Ph...2023-11-3007 min
Applying the BibleThe Lamp of Your Body
No one after lighting a lamp puts it in a cellar or under a basket, but on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light. Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light, but when it is bad, your body is full of darkness. Therefore be careful lest the light in you be darkness. If then your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, it will be wholly bright, as when a lamp with its rays gives you light.” (Luke 11:33-36)...2023-11-0907 min
Applying the BibleBlessed Rather Are Those
As he said these things, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts at which you nursed!” But he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” (Luke 11:27-28)
On our first reading, we see a woman yell out that basically Mary is super blessed and Jesus responds with “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it.” But what on earth is happening here, what does this mean, and what can we glean from i...2023-10-2607 min
Applying the BibleLord, Teach Us to Pray
Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.”
So He said to them, “When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, For we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And do not lead us into tem...2023-09-1413 min
Applying the BibleRejoice in the Holy Spirit
In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, or who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.” (Luke 10:21-22)
This first little notation is just beautiful – Jesus rejoiced in the...2023-08-1005 min
Applying the BibleBut Rejoice
The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!” And he said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” (Luke 10:17-20)
The seventy-two that Jesus had sent out end up coming back from their trips in the same way that the...2023-08-0306 min
Applying the BibleHears or Rejects
“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. But it will be more bearable in the judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you. And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You shall be brought down to Hades. “The one who hears you hears me, and the one who rejects you rejects me, and the one who rejects me rejects him who sent me.” (Luke 10:13-16)
As Jesus continues in the...2023-07-2709 min
Applying the BibleLet Me First Go and Bury
To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” And Jesus said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:59-60)
Last week, we saw someone come to Jesus saying they would follow Him wherever He went, but this week we see Jesus initiated the conversation to another in saying, “Follow Me”. We don’t actually know what the previous person’s response was after being told the cost of not having a place to lay their head. H...2023-06-1510 min
Applying the BibleWherever You Go
As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” (Luke 9:57-58)
Over the next few weeks, we’re going to dig into this last section of Luke 9, as we read about three different people’s response to the cost of following Jesus.
This week, we see that someone came to Jesus saying they would follow Him wherever He went. This person came...2023-06-0807 min
Applying the BibleThe One-Way Journey
And [Jesus] said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself? For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. But I...2023-04-1309 min
Applying the BibleThe Son of Man MUST Suffer
And he strictly charged and commanded them to tell this to no one, saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.” (Luke 9:21-22)
Interestingly, we’ve been going through Luke devotionally for almost a year now (well exactly one year tomorrow), and I couldn’t have predicted that we’d end up in chapter 9 at this specific section, but God worked it out that we’d be in this exact section right before Easter.
Peter had...2023-04-0607 min
Applying the BibleWho Jesus Is
Now it happened that as he was praying alone, the disciples were with him. And he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” And they answered, “John the Baptist. But others say, Elijah, and others, that one of the prophets of old has risen.” Then he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” And Peter answered, “The Christ of God.” (Luke 9:18-20)
This question that Jesus asked His disciples,” Who do the crowds say that I am?”, came after Jesus was praying. Undoubtedly, Jesus had many conversations with the Father about His upcoming c...2023-03-3008 min
Applying the BibleBroken Pieces
Now the day began to wear away, and the twelve came and said to him, “Send the crowd away to go into the surrounding villages and countryside to find lodging and get provisions, for we are here in a desolate place.” But he said to them, “You give them something to eat.” They said, “We have no more than five loaves and two fish—unless we are to go and buy food for all these people.” For there were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.” And they did so, a...2023-03-2307 min
Applying the BibleYou Give
On their return the apostles told him all that they had done. And he took them and withdrew apart to a town called Bethsaida. When the crowds learned it, they followed him, and he welcomed them and spoke to them of the kingdom of God and cured those who had need of healing. Now the day began to wear away, and the twelve came and said to him, “Send the crowd away to go into the surrounding villages and countryside to find lodging and get provisions, for we are here in a desolate place.” But he said to them, “You gi...2023-03-1609 min
Applying the BibleTell Him Everything
On their return the apostles told him all that they had done. (Luke 9:10a)
After the apostles were sent and given power, they went preaching the gospel and healing everywhere, AND they came back and told Jesus about it! Just because they were sent in power by Jesus doesn’t mean they were now forever going to be in a season of outreach. They came back and shared with Jesus what they had encountered and done.
Yes, Jesus already knows the things we do, He is the one who sends us out, BUT the act of...2023-03-0907 min
Applying the BibleSent Out
And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal. And he said to them, “Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not have two tunics. And whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart. And wherever they do not receive you, when you leave that town shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them.” And they departed and went through the vill...2023-03-0217 min
Applying the BibleSimilarly DifferentAs we wrap up this section in Luke 8, when Jesus healed the woman with a discharge of blood on His way to heal Jairus’ daughter in which He ends up raising her from the dead, we see a lot of contrasting aspects to the two situations and yet it’s also comparable in these individuals. Since we’ve been going through this section devotionally for the last several weeks, we’re going to switch things up this week. Let’s look at the contrasts and similarities first and then we’ll end with the entire scripture section.
Known & Unknown: Jai...2023-02-2309 min
Applying the BibleA Desperate Touch
As Jesus went, the people pressed around him. And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and though she had spent all her living on physicians, she could not be healed by anyone. She came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, and immediately her discharge of blood ceased. And Jesus said, “Who was it that touched me?” When all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the crowds surround you and are pressing in on you!” But Jesus said, “Someone touched me, for I perceive that power has gone out from me.”...2023-02-1612 min
Applying the BibleOnly Believe
Now when Jesus returned, the crowd welcomed him, for they were all waiting for him. And there came a man named Jairus, who was a ruler of the synagogue. And falling at Jesus' feet, he implored him to come to his house, for he had an only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she was dying. As Jesus went, the people pressed around him… (Then the woman with discharge of blood was healed)… While he was still speaking [to the woman who had been healed], someone from the ruler’s house came and said, “Your daughter is dead; do not t...2023-02-0907 min
Applying the BibleBeing Flexible in MinistryThis week’s passage, which we’ll dig into a little deeper in the coming weeks but are going to look at an overview this week, is a longer passage than our normal devotional passages. But I couldn’t leave out or pick apart God’s word, so bear with me.
Now when Jesus returned, the crowd welcomed him, for they were all waiting for him. And there came a man named Jairus, who was a ruler of the synagogue. And falling at Jesus' feet, he implored him to come to his house, for he had an only dau...2023-02-0207 min
Applying the BibleOvercoming Fear
And those who had seen it told them how the demon-possessed man had been healed. Then all the people of the surrounding country of the Gerasenes asked him to depart from them, for they were seized with great fear. So he got into the boat and returned. The man from whom the demons had gone begged that he might be with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, “Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.” And he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city how much Jesus had done for him. (Luke 8:36-39)
...2023-01-2605 min
Applying the BibleAt the Feet of Jesus
When the herdsmen saw what had happened, they fled and told it in the city and in the country. Then people went out to see what had happened, and they came to Jesus and found the man from whom the demons had gone, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind, and they were afraid. And those who had seen it told them how the demon-possessed man had been healed. (Luke 8:34-36)
We don’t know exactly how long this man had suffered demon possession, but we do know that what he suffered wa...2023-01-1907 min
Applying the BibleLook Beyond
When Jesus had stepped out on land, there met him a man from the city who had demons. For a long time he had worn no clothes, and he had not lived in a house but among the tombs. When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell down before him and said with a loud voice, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, do not torment me.” For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. (For many a time it had seized him. He w...2023-01-1208 min
Applying the BibleEvery Knee & Tongue
Then they sailed to the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee. When Jesus had stepped out on land, there met him a man from the city who had demons. For a long time he had worn no clothes, and he had not lived in a house but among the tombs. When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell down before him and said with a loud voice, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, do not torment me.” For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come...2023-01-0505 min
Applying the BibleWhere is Your Faith?
And they went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and the raging waves, and they ceased, and there was a calm. He said to them, “Where is your faith?” And they were afraid, and they marveled, saying to one another, “Who then is this, that he commands even winds and water, and they obey him?” (Luke 8:24-25)
After Jesus rebuked the wind and waves and they had ceased, leaving the lake with a calm, Jesus asked them the question, “Where is your faith?”. The disciples seemingly didn’t listen or were s...2022-12-2903 min
Applying the BibleGod is With Us
So they set out, and as they sailed [Jesus] fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water and were in danger. And they went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and the raging waves, and they ceased, and there was a calm. (Luke 8:23-24)
If you’ve ever been on a sailboat, the rhythmic rocking of the boat can be quite lulling, especially if you’re tired. Jesus’ ministry was busy. He routinely was around a lot of people often, tea...2022-12-2205 min
Applying the BibleWhen in Danger
So they set out, and as they sailed [Jesus] fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water and were in danger. And they went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and the raging waves, and they ceased, and there was a calm. (Luke 8:23-24)
When the disciples were afraid at the windstorm that had arisen, we read that they were in danger as the windstorm was actively filling their boat with water. They could have struggled a bit more, tryi...2022-12-1504 min
Applying the BibleJesus' Directions
One day he got into a boat with his disciples, and he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side of the lake.” (Luke 8:22)
Over the next four weeks we’re going to dig into four distinct nuggets to glean from this story in Luke of Jesus calming the storm. This week, we’re going to focus on the directions that Jesus gives us.
From this section, we can clearly see that Jesus gave His disciples verbal directions when He said, “Let us go across to the other side of the lake”. Yet notice t...2022-12-0804 min
Applying the BibleHow You Hear
“No one after lighting a lamp covers it with a jar or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light. For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light. Take care then how you hear, for to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he thinks that he has will be taken away.” (Luke 8:16-18)
Jesus uses a familiar physical example to e...2022-12-0105 min
The People First PodcastThe People First Podcast - S1EP37 Keighley Town MayorIn this weeks episode, we spoke to Luke Maunsell - the youngest town mayor we have ever had! We spoke to Luke about his roll as mayor of the town of Keighley, as well as his history with mental health and some of the charity work that he has done during his time in office.Thank you so much to Luke for being such a great guest to the show!Please rate our podcast and leave a review! It really helps tell our members how they are doing and helps our show grow and improve.2022-11-2335 min
Applying the BibleSowing Seeds
And when a great crowd was gathering and people from town after town came to him, he said in a parable, “A sower went out to sow his seed. (Luke 8:4-5a)
Last week we dug into the introspective look at the soil of our own hearts. This week, we’re looking at the perspective of the sower and what that means for a follower of Christ.
Every sower sows seed, but there are differences in how those seeds are sown. One sower may dig specific areas in which to sow the seeds, another sower may...2022-11-2310 min
Applying the BibleHeart Soil
“A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell along the path and was trampled underfoot, and the birds of the air devoured it. And some fell on the rock, and as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up with it and choked it. And some fell into good soil and grew and yielded a hundredfold.” As he said these things, he called out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” (Luke 8:5-8)
This parable is not only...2022-11-1711 min
Applying the BibleSome Women
Soon afterward he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with him, and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, and Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s household manager, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their means. (Luke 8:1-3)
When we read about how Jesus had chosen twelve disciples and these men followed Jesus during His three-year earthly ministry, it can be ea...2022-11-1007 min
Applying the BibleGo In Peace
Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?” And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” (Luke 7:47-50)
Jesus had just told Simon the Pharisee about a moneylender who had cancelled the debts of two people, one large debt and the other a small debt. The Pharisee rightly judged t...2022-11-0305 min
Applying the BibleJudging Rightly
Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner.” And Jesus answering said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he answered, “Say it, Teacher.” (Luke 7:39-40)
Isn’t it interesting that it says the Pharisee said to himself – referring to that internal dialogue we have with ourselves, and yet Jesus answered him directly. Jesus didn’t come right out and say, “Look dude, I...2022-10-2706 min
Applying the BibleComplete Adoration
One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee’s house and reclined at table. And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he s...2022-10-2005 min
Applying the BibleRespond with Repentance
I tell you, among those born of women none is greater than John. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” (When all the people heard this, and the tax collectors too, they declared God just, having been baptized with the baptism of John, but the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected the purpose of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him.) (Luke 7:28-30)
As Jesus spoke of John the Baptist to the crowd, of whom Pharisees and lawyers were, His focus was on the kingdom of God and th...2022-10-1304 min
Applying the BibleWhen God Answers
And when the men had come to him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to you, saying, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?’” In that hour he healed many people of diseases and plagues and evil spirits, and on many who were blind he bestowed sight. And he answered them, “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is...2022-10-0605 min
Applying the BibleCompassion on Others
As [Jesus] drew near to the gate of the town, behold, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow, and a considerable crowd from the town was with her. And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.” Then he came up and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.” And the dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. (Luke 7:1...2022-09-2910 min
Applying the BibleMaking Jesus Marvel
When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, said, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.” (Luke 7:9)
The centurion that Jesus marveled at demonstrated not only great faith, but great kindness, respect, and humility. His servant was sick and dying and the centurion valued the life of his servant. Although he had authority, he didn’t even have to strongarm anyone into going to Jesus, the elders of the Jews pleaded earnestly with Jesus on behalf of this centurion. And when Jesus was not fa...2022-09-2205 min
Applying the BibleBe Well Built
“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you? Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the st...2022-09-1505 min
Applying the BibleWhen You Speak
The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. (Luke 6:45)
A couple verses before this Jesus says that good trees bear good fruit and bad trees bear bad fruit. He uses the natural to explain the human state that is unseen, and often denied through pride.
It is plain when Jesus says that what we hold inside, our thoughts, our motives, the abundance – it is the well in which ou...2022-09-0804 min
Applying the BibleSpecks and Logs
He also told them a parable: “Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit? A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypo...2022-09-0104 min
Applying the BibleBe Like Your Teacher
A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone, when fully trained will be like his teacher. Luke 6:40
It’s easy to understand that, as followers of Jesus, we aren’t above Him. Yet, when we’ve been fully trained, we will be like Jesus as co-heirs with Him.
This is double sided though, because while being trained by Jesus will result in you being like Jesus, if you are submitting yourself to be trained under anyone else, guess who you’re going to be like?
Called to Holiness
God has called u...2022-08-2506 min
Applying the BibleJudge Not. Forgive. Give with Good Measure.
Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you. (Luke 6:37-38)
Judge Not
This is often a phrase used by non-believers whenever Christians state something the Bible says that exposes sin. But it is important to understand what Jesus is really saying here to be effective in...2022-08-1806 min
Applying the BibleBut Jesus Said
But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. (Luke 6:27-31)
As Jesus says this, He’s talking to...2022-08-1105 min
Applying the BibleBlessed are the Hated
Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man! Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets. (Luke 6:22-23)
As we wrap up the last Beatitude, it is a beautiful encouragement in light of what every follower of Jesus will face. We know that as followers of Jesus we will have tribulation, just as Jesus and Paul stated very clearly.
...2022-08-0408 min
Applying the BibleBlessed are Those Who Weep
Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh. (Luke 6:21b)
In this continuation of the Beatitudes, Jesus has already covered the circumstance (blessed are you who are poor), the need (blessed are you who are hungry), and now He addresses the emotional – Blessed are you who weep now. In all these, Jesus speaks to the spiritual using the physical.
In using the word weep, this doesn’t just mean to cry. This word in the Greek means to wail with grief – like think snot nose ugly crying – over something that has pained you tremendo...2022-07-2805 min
Applying the BibleBlessed are the Hungry
Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied. (Luke 6:21a)
As Jesus continued in the Beatitudes, He again speaks in a simultaneous literal and figurative manner, addressing the very poor and hungry people in front of Him but also referring to their spiritual state and the promises of God.
The Greek Foundation
Last week we mentioned how the word for “blessed” means to be well off and happier. In the same way, Jesus speaks of how those who are hungry now are blessed because they will be satisfied. What does...2022-07-2104 min
Applying the BibleBlessed are the Poor
Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. (Luke 6:20b)
Jesus had been healing multitudes of people, and then He turned His attention to His disciples as He began to speak what we call the Beatitudes. In this first verse of the Beatitudes, there can be a few ways to interpret what “poor” means, but we know that whomever Jesus is referring, theirs is the kingdom of God. In Matthew 5, when Jesus gives the Sermon on the Mount, He says something very similar - Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is t...2022-07-1406 min
Applying the BibleThe Power to Heal
And all the crowd sought to touch him, for power came out from him and healed them all. (Luke 6:19)
As I read through this, I’ll be honest, I found myself feeling a bit jealous of those people. I have battled with chronic illness for years and have prayed over and over to be completely healed and it hasn’t happened yet. I found myself wishing I had Jesus physically here to touch the way these crowds of people did and were healed as the power came out from Him and healed them all. Then this little thou...2022-07-0705 min
Applying the BibleMake Prayerful Decisions
In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God. And when day came, he called his disciples and chose from them twelve, whom he named apostles. (Luke 6:12-13)
Jesus knew the Father was calling Him to select men to personally disciple, yet even being the Son of God, He prayed all night long as He sought the Father’s guidance on which men to choose.
How do you make your decisions?
Do you pray real quick right before making a decision and th...2022-06-3005 min
Applying the BibleRestored By Obedience
On another Sabbath, he entered the synagogue and was teaching, and a man was there whose right hand was withered. And the scribes and the Pharisees watched him, to see whether he would heal on the Sabbath, so that they might find a reason to accuse him. But he knew their thoughts, and he said to the man with the withered hand, “Come and stand here.” And he rose and stood there. And Jesus said to them, “I ask you, is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to destroy it?” A...2022-06-2304 min
Applying the BibleHow You Identify
And the Pharisees grumbled at his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” And Jesus answered them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.” (Luke 5:30-32)
As Jesus sat and shared a meal with tax collectors and others, the pharisees judged Him and His disciples for it. Notice how the Pharisees directed their grumbles to Jesus’ disciples, but Jesus jumped in and responded by telling them who He came for - “I have not c...2022-06-1607 min
Applying the BibleYour Sins Are Forgiven
And when he saw their faith, he said, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.” And the scribes and the Pharisees began to question, saying, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” When Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answered them, “Why do you question in your hearts? Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”— he said to the man who was paralyzed —“I say to you, rise, pick up your bed and go home.”...2022-06-0906 min
Applying the BibleLife is Short, Pray Hard
And behold, some men were bringing on a bed a man who was paralyzed, and they were seeking to bring him in and lay him before Jesus, but finding no way to bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down with his bed through the tiles into the midst before Jesus. And when he saw their faith, he said, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.” (Luke 5:18-20)
The paralyzed man wouldn’t have been able to get to Jesus, but his friends faithfully carried him and laid him before...2022-06-0205 min
Applying the BibleMaking Time to Withdraw
But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray. (Luke 5:16)
Continually throughout the gospels, we see Jesus withdrawing to desolate places in between serving and it was to spend time in prayer with His Father. How different His effectiveness in ministry would have been if He wouldn’t have intentionally set this time aside.
Often Jesus is thought of as somehow supernaturally more empowered than us when He was here fulfilling His earthly ministry because He is God. But we have to remember that just because He didn’t separate from His deity didn’t mean H...2022-05-2606 min
Applying the BibleFishers of Men
And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him. (Luke 5:10-11)
The way fishers back then caught fish was usually with wide nets. They’d cast them into the water, drag them along, and pull up to have caught a net full of fish. Today, we have many methods of fishing - fishing pole catching one fish at a time, a handheld net catching possibly a few at a time, and the wide nets as of...2022-05-1904 min
Applying the BibleChurch People
And he went down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee. And he was teaching them on the Sabbath, and they were astonished at his teaching, for his word possessed authority. And in the synagogue there was a man who had the spirit of an unclean demon.. (Luke 4:31-33a)
Jesus went into the synagogue teaching on the Sabbath and in there was a demon possessed man. Don’t you wonder what a man who was demon possessed was doing in a synagogue?
This really brings front and center that just because someone is in a ch...2022-05-1206 min
Applying the BibleWalking With Purpose
And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written,
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives
and recovering of sight to the blind,
to set at liberty those who are oppressed,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
And he rolled up the scroll and ga...2022-05-0506 min
Applying the BibleLed With Purpose
And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing during those days. And when they were ended, he was hungry… And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time. (Luke 4:1-2, 13)
The Holy Spirit led Jesus to the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. The Holy Spirit knew exactly why He had led Jesus there and it was in the Father’s will that Jesus be equi...2022-04-2807 min
Applying the BibleTreasured Up
But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart… And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart. (Luke 2:19 & Luke 2:51)
As the shepherds came that night, worshipping the Son whom the angels had told them of, Mary treasured up that experience in her heart. As she listened to how her 12 year old Son was in the synagogue and spoke of being in His Father’s house, Mary didn’t understand it all, but she treasured up that experi...2022-04-2105 min
Applying the BibleGrowing Strong in the Wilderness
And the child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day of his public appearance to Israel. (Luke 1:80)
This verse is speaking of John the Baptist. John grew and was in the wilderness until the day of his public appearance to Israel. I don’t know about you, but when I think of my children growing up and living their adult life, I wouldn’t in a million years think that they would live in the wilderness, eating locusts and honey and wearing camel hair outfits. However, as a Christian pare...2022-04-1406 min
Applying the BibleServing Through Affliction
And the people were waiting for Zechariah, and they were wondering at his delay in the temple. And when he came out, he was unable to speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the temple. And he kept making signs to them and remained mute. And when his time of service was ended, he went to his home. (Luke 1:21-23)
When the angel Gabriel had visited Zechariah and told him that his wife, Elizabeth, would have a child, Zechariah responded with doubt. The consequence was being mute until the prophecy of...2022-04-0707 min
Applying the BibleResist or Be Resisted
But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (James 4:6-7)
God gives grace to the humble. This is something that in mere surface understanding we may feel like we’ll of course receive – because we’re all humble, right? But when met with such strong language revealing that “God resists the proud”, it should stir us to take a moment to think on the posture of our heart openly and honestly before God. We may appear...2022-03-2406 min
Applying the BibleThe Painful Process of Healing
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
a time to cast away stones, and a time to...2022-03-0306 min
GYDA - Grow Your Digital AgencyBuilding to Sell vs Buying to Grow Digital Agencies with Luke JudgeIn this presentation Luke Judge talks through the strategies that you need to build and sell an agency vs buying one to build your empire. He ended the session with a Q&A, so the video has loads of awesome insight from someone who’s been there and done it!If you want to talk further on the subject, send Luke an email here. This is a bite-size version of the hour-long video. To watch the rest head on over to GYDA Member Hub!2022-02-0710 min
The Human Centered Design Podcast (This is HCD) | Service Design & UXLuke Craven and Elise Motalli "What it means to be a systems-conscious designer"If you like our content, be sure to sign up to our weekly The Design Compass Newsletter. Design Smarter. Lead Better.I’m your host Kelly Ann McKercher, author of Beyond Sticky Notes: Doing Co-design for Real. In this podcast we hear from Luke Craven and Elise Motalli about what it means to be a systems-conscious designer, where we can turn to for more expansive language about the worlds we want. https://www.linkedin.com/in/elise-motalli-44070b119/Nora Batesonhttps://batesoninstitute.org/nora-bateson/Creators & Guests
Ger...2021-12-1734 min
Applying the BibleTrust in the LordIn looking over the different people involved in the birth account of Jesus, do you see a theme?
Mary and Joseph were the first to know and they trusted in the message from God that the angels told them, both with pregnancy and in fleeing to Egypt. (Luke 1:26-38; Matthew 1:18-25; Matthew 2:13-15)
The shepherds heard the message from God as the host of angels proclaimed to them in the field and they trusted that it truly meant ALL people as they walked to find Jesus. (Luke 2:8-20)
The wisemen saw the star and trusted the prophecies God...2021-12-1604 min
Applying the BibleThe Chosen OutcastsIn India’s history, there was a time in which their society was made up of castes, or social classes. There became four primary castes and the people in them would identify strongly with their caste, shunning people in any other caste. Even still, the lowest were the people who didn’t belong to any caste. These people were the outcasts.
In the time of Jesus’ birth, shepherds were the outcasts of society. They were the lowest of the low, spending their time with smelly sheep day in and day out, and yet it was to the shephe...2021-12-0207 min
The Luke Pipala ShowEpisode 7 Guest Starring Ché Trevena and Lou Craven: If She Above 5'3" Then She Ain't for MeChé Trevena and Lou Craven are co-hosts of the Why So Serious Podcast coming soon to Youtube and other platforms. I had an awesome time talking to them which made for a really fun podcast. We talked about catfishing, dating and so much more! They can be found on Instagram @whyso.seriouspodcast. I hope everyone enjoys!2021-10-251h 03
Applying the BibleJehovah Rapha - God is my HealerIn Exodus 15, the people of Israel had left Egypt and had just finished singing the praises of God in thanksgiving, when they came to the realization that there was no water to drink and the only water they found in the wilderness was bitter. Moses cried out to God and this was God’s response:
…”and the LORD showed him a log, and he threw it into the water, and the water became sweet. There the LORD made for them a statute and a rule, and there he tested them, saying, “If you will diligently listen to the voic...2021-10-0711 minThe People First PodcastThe People First Podcast - S1EP4 Wrestler Liam SlaterIn our 4th episode of The People First Podcast, we talk to wrestler Liam Slater about his career and his future plans for his wrestling facility. We also talk about the immune system and offer our five tops tips for keeping it fighting fit. Podcast crew member Luke also talks to us about his recent hike up Britain’s highest peak, Ben Nevis. We hope you enjoy, please rate, review, like and share!Please rate our podcast and leave a review! It really helps tell our members how they are doing and helps our show grow and im...2021-08-1233 min
Applying the BibleGreetings!In Acts 15, an issue had arisen in which the false gospel was being taught that circumcision was required for salvation. As the council was setting out to write a letter in which Paul and Barnabas would deliver, the letter starts out, “The brothers, both the apostles and the elders, to the brothers and sisters who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greetings.” (Acts 15:23)
Greetings.
This may seem like a small thing in such an important letter, but it really is rather huge. Throughout the New Testament, we typically see the greeting rese...2021-07-2906 min
Applying the BibleOur God and FatherFather’s Day is just around the corner and has got me thinking about my Heavenly Father. He is the best Daddy to all His children and He gives good gifts to us, blessing us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places (Ephesians 1:3). Even those who don’t have a Dad present in their life, He is the Father to the fatherless, and will never leave or forsake us. (Psalm 68:5; Deuteronomy 31:6)
As I think on the good gifts that He has given, the main things that stand out to me are His unconditional love, physical life, abun...2021-06-1706 min
Applying the BibleClothed with PowerAs Pentecost approaches, it got me thinking about the day of Pentecost in the book of Acts. There was a period of time between when Jesus ascended to heaven and Pentecost. Before ascending, Jesus had given them the commission to go into all the world and make disciples, telling them that they would be His witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth, but I want to focus on His instruction to wait in Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit had come. (Luke 24:49 and Acts 1:4-5)
“And behold, I am sending the promise of my Fa...2021-05-2007 min
Applying the BibleWater in the DesertI’m going to be transparent with you, lately I feel like I’ve been in a spiritual desert. I’ve had these seasons before but this one seems particularly dry.
As I was reading back through some of my past blog posts of things the Lord has shown me, a couple points really stood out to me. First was from the post Where the Spirit Leads, and the fact that the Spirit does indeed lead us into the wilderness sometimes but it’s always with our good in mind. When the Spirit led Jesus into the wilderne...2021-05-1306 min
Applying the BibleThe Mother of JesusWith Mother’s Day this coming weekend, I couldn’t help but think of Jesus’ mother, Mary. The gospel’s don’t mention a whole lot about her, but what they do mention paints such a sweet image of whom God chose to bear His Son.
Based on the gospel of Luke, we know that Mary was young and betrothed, or what we think of as engaged nowadays, when the angel Gabriel visited her to give her the message that she would be the mother of Messiah. We can see a few distinct characteristics about her just from that...2021-05-0610 min
Applying the BibleThen and NowI have heard Christians who have been saved for a while say that the gospel message is for the unsaved and insinuate that they no longer need to hear it since they are saved. Yet Jesus is our salvation and He said He is the Way, Truth, and Life and no one comes to the Father apart from Him.
I think of it more like this: when we hear the gospel and receive salvation, it’s the first breath taken as a new creation in Christ, just as a baby would breathe air for the first time ou...2021-04-0106 min