Luke 12:24

Luke 12:24 says, Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?  Jesus told his disciples to consider the ravens, which do not reap or sow, nor did they have store houses to keep things in if they had.  Still, God provides for them, and He will provide for us also if we put our faith in Him.  Verse twenty-five adds, And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit?  Jesus asked the disciples which one of them could grow taller simply because they decided to, and the answer was they couldn't.  How tall we are is one of those things that God determines, and we are not going to change it.  We might stunt our growth, but we cannot increase our height, so it is something we don't need to be concerned with, and we likewise don't need to be concerned with our everyday needs being met as followers of Christ.  Verse twenty-six continues, If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest?  Jesus asked them if they couldn't do the least of things, why were they worried about the rest.  God does not expect His people to be worried or obsessed about things they cannot change, but to simply put their faith in Him.  Verse twenty-seven states, Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.  Jesus told the disciples, and that includes us today as followers of Christ, to consider the lilies.  They do not toil nor spin beautiful cloth to array themselves in, but Jesus said Solomon with all his riches was not arrayed more beautifully.  We are to look to God to meet our needs, and we will never be able to do better on our own.  Verse twenty-eight continues, If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?  Jesus said that if God clothed the grass which was very temporary, how much more would He do for His people.  Jesus said they had little faith, and if we worry about the things of this world believing that God won't provide for us, the we also have little faith in Him.  Verse twenty-nine declares, And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.  Jesus told them and tells us today to not be concerned about what we will eat of drink and not to be of a doubtful mind about God providing for us as His people.  Verse thirty adds, For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.  Jesus said that all nations sought after these material things, but that God knows the needs of His people and will provide for them, so we are not to be like those who do not know Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord.  Verse thirty-one continues, But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.  Jesus said we are to put seeking the kingdom of God first and our needs will be met. Verse thirty-two states, Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.  Jesus told His disciples not to live in fear or worry, because God would provide for all their needs, and He still will for us today if we live by faith in Him.  Verse thirty-three adds, Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.  Jesus tells us that we are to help others instead of putting our faith in our own riches and abilities.  Verse thirty-four continues, For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.  We as Christians must lay up treasures in heaven and not here in this life if we want them to have real meaning.  Verse thirty-five says, Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning;  Verse thirty-six adds And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately.  Jesus told the disciples to live everyday ready for the coming judgment day, and so must we today.  We need to be ready for the return of Jesus Christ, but we don't need to be obsessed with it.

Luke 12:13

Luke 12:13 says, And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me.  Someone came to Jesus asking Him to have his brother divide an inheritance with him.  He was looking to Jesus for material, earthly reasons.  Some people are still doing the same thing today.  Verse fourteen adds, And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you?  Jesus asked the man who made Him a judge and divider over these things.  Jesus is the judge of spiritual matters, and we shouldn't expect Him to make everything fair materially in our eyes.  Verse fifteen continues, And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.  Jesus then warned them and us against covetousness.  He warned us that life does not consist of the abundance of things that we own.  We may see having an abundance of riches as a sign that we are living under God's leadership, but Jesus tells us this isn't necessarily so.  Verse sixteen states, And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:  Jesus then began to teach them with a parable about a rich man with an abundant harvest. This could indeed be a blessing from God, but if it was, then the question is what would the man do with it.  If God richly blesses us today, that is the same question we must ask.  Verse seventeen adds, And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?  The man faced a dilemma, and we may face a similar one at times today.  The man had no room to store his crops.  Sometimes, God may bless us so abundantly that we have much more than we need or know what to do with.  Verse eighteen continues, And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.  The man decided the answer was to tear down his existing barns and build bigger ones.  We sometimes want something bigger and better for ourselves when God abundantly blesses us instead of asking God how we should us what He has blessed us with.  Verse nineteen concludes, And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.  The man decided to use his abundance for His own pleasure.  As followers of Christ, I believe that we need to be careful that we don't begin to believe that everything God blesses us with should be used simply for our own ease and pleasure.   Verse twenty declares, But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?  Jesus referred to the man as a fool, I believe because he had not acknowledged God in all his planning, and then Jesus told the man that he was going to die that night, and then asked him who would own all these things. We need to be concerned with spiritual and not material riches, because one day all the material riches will be left behind.  Verse twenty-one adds, So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.  Jesus said that if anyone is like this man, laying up material treasure for himself or herself, instead of being rich before God, then we like this man are a fool.  Verse twenty-two continues,  And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on.  Jesus told His disciples, and as followers of Christ that would be us today, that they should not give any thought to the things of this world.  That is a far cry from God wants me to be happy and in order for that to happen I must have what I have decided I want.  Verse twenty-three concludes, The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment.  Jesus said that life is more than the physical things.  Life really is about our spiritual relationship with God and not the material things of this world.  

Luke 12:1

Luke 12:1 says, In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.  As more people crowded around Jesus, He warned them to beware of the hypocrisy of the Pharisees.  They were to preach God's word without error, unlike the scribes and Pharisees, and so must we as Christians.  Verse two adds, For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known.  Jesus warns us that we cannot hide our actions, or even our thoughts, from God.  Verse three continues, Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.  Jesus further stated that those things said when we think no one will hear us, those things spoken in the dark when we think God will not hear, will one day be shouted from the rooftops.  Verse four states, And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.  Jesus also tells us to not be afraid of those who can only kill the body, because they cannot destroy our soul.  Yet, we spend so much time worrying about earthly things.  Verse five adds, But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.  Jesus said that we are only to fear, or have regard for God, Who has the power to cast us into hell.  Verse six asks,  Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?  Jesus said that sparrows were cheap in earthly terms, but not one was forgotten b God.  This means that God provides for them here, and not that they will go to heaven when they die. Verse seven adds, But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.  Jesus then said that God knows the number of hairs on the head of each person, and that we are of much more value than a sparrow.  God has an intimate relationship with His followers, and we can trust Him with our soul.  Verse eight declares, Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God:  Jesus said if we confess Him to the world as our Savior and Lord that He will confess to the angels of God that we are His.  If we have accepted Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord, we must profess it to the world.  Verse nine warns, But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God.  The reverse is true also.  If we deny Jesus Christ here in this life, He will deny us before the angels.  We can only accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord in this lifetime.  Verse ten continues, And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven.  Jesus said that we could be forgiven for blasphemy against Him, but not for blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.  Jesus had said One greater than He would be sent, and that is the Holy Spirit.  We must never be guilty of attributing the works of the Holy Spirit to anyone or anything else.  Verse eleven declares, And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say:  Jesus did not say if the disciples were brought before the magistrates, but when they were, that they were not to worry about what to answer, as long as they relied on the Holy Spirit to tell them what to say.  We need to be just as reliant on the Holy Spirit today.  Verse twelve adds, For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.  If we are followers of Christ and obedient to the Holy Spirit, we never have to worry about what to say in any situation. 

Luke 11:45

Luke 11:45 says, Then answered one of the lawyers, and said unto him, Master, thus saying thou reproachest us also. A lawyer said that by what Jesus had stated that he reproached the lawyers as well.  At least the lawyer recognized the fact, and if we are to be saved, we must recognize that until we accept Jesus as our Savior and Lord, we are no better than any other sinner.  Verse forty-six adds, And he said, Woe unto you also, ye lawyers! for ye lade men with burdens grievous to be borne, and ye yourselves touch not the burdens with one of your fingers. Jesus made it clear that the lawyers who acted only in their self interest were indeed included in His proclamation of woe.  I don't believe this was a condemnation of all lawyers, but of those who used the religious law for their own profit and to burden others.  Verse forty-seven continues, Woe unto you! for ye build the sepulchres of the prophets, and your fathers killed them.  Jesus said the lawyers used the law to kill the prophets, as had their fathers before them. Verse forty-eight states, Truly ye bear witness that ye allow the deeds of your fathers: for they indeed killed them, and ye build their sepulchres.  Jesus said the current lawyers were just as guilty as their fathers had been, because of instead of correcting past injustices they simply buried the prophets by the same interpretation of the law.  They built monuments to past prophets while continuing to persecute and kill the current ones.  We are not condemned for the sins of others, but we cannot excuse them either while continuing to commit the same sins ourselves.  Verse forty-nine adds, Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute:  Jesus said that God in His wisdom had sent prophets and apostles to the people of Israel knowing that they would kill some of them.  As followers of Christ today, God may send us into a dangerous situation, and some may even die for their faith, but the reward is everlasting life if we put our faith in Him no matter what.  Verse fifty continues, That the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation;  Jesus said the current generation would be held responsible for the death of the prophets who came before as well, since they continued to have the same attitude towards God and His prophets.  I don't believe that we are held accountable for the sins of those who come before or after us, but if our attitude toward God is the same as them, we are guilty just as they were.  Verse fifty-one concludes, From the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zacharias, which perished between the altar and the temple: verily I say unto you, It shall be required of this generation.  I believe that what Jesus was saying was that the current lawyers were just as guilty as those in the past of persecuting the prophets of God, and no outward veneration of the prophets would change that.  If we reject Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, we reject all of His law and the prophets who came before Him.  Verse fifty-two declares, Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered. Jesus pronounced woe on the lawyers because not only had they failed to enter into fellowship with God, but they prevented others from coming to God.  I believe people will be held accountable for preventing or trying to prevent others from coming to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.   Verse fifty-three adds, And as he said these things unto them, the scribes and the Pharisees began to urge him vehemently, and to provoke him to speak of many things:  As Jesus spoke these things,  the scribes and Pharisees,  instead of repenting and coming to Him, began to attempt to get Jesus to say something that they could use against Him, which was what He had just said they did to the prophets.  When we hear the truth of God, we can either accept it or begin to plot against it. Verse fifty-four concludes,  Laying wait for him, and seeking to catch something out of his mouth, that they might accuse him.  The scribes and Pharisees began to actively work against Jesus.  These were the religious leaders of the people of Israel who prided themselves on being so.  We  must never, as followers of Christ, allow ourselves to use God's law to condemn anyone who is doing God's work. 

Luke 11:33

Luke 11:33 says, No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light.  Jesus said that no one would light a candle then hide it where it couldn't be seen.  The gospel of Christ is the light of thy world and was meant to be shined into the world and not to be hidden from the world.  Verse thirty-four adds, The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness.  Jesus then said that the eye is the light of the whole body.  We know if it is light or dark because of our eyes.  Jesus then said that what we focus on is important.  If we keep our eyes on the Light, Jesus Christ, we will be full of His light, but if we focus on evil, our whole body will become full of darkness.  Verse thirty-five continues, Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness.  Jesus warns us to not be filled with false light.  Something that we might think is illuminating may really not be from God.  Verse thirty-six concludes, If thy whole body therefore be full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light.  Jesus tells us that if we have His light shining in us, it lights the whole body.  If we are truly faithfulful to God, there will be no little nooks and crannies that aren't filled with the light of Christ.  Verse thirty-seven states, And as he spake, a certain Pharisee besought him to dine with him: and he went in, and sat down to meat.  A Pharisee invited Jesus to eat with him, and Jesus accepted his invitation.  Jesus did not reject the scribes and Pharisees, but they rejected Him, just as He doesn't reject anyone today because of who they are.  Verse thirty-eight adds, And when the Pharisee saw it, he marvelled that he had not first washed before dinner.  When Jesus sat down to eat, the Pharisee marvelled that Jesus had not washed first.  This was more of a ceremonial washing, a religions ritual, than a purely cleansing of the hands, and Jesus chose not to do it.  I believe we can equate it to some people having certain ways that they worship, and looking down on others who do not worship the same way.  Verse thirty-nine declares, And the Lord said unto him, Now do ye Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness.  Jesus told the Pharisee that the Pharisees liked to look good on the outside, the image they presented to the world, but inside they were full of darkness.  The light of Christ was not in them.  There are still people today who profess to be religious leaders, and they may be but the light of the gospel is not in them.  We may fool people with outward signs of being a follower of Christ, but we will never fool God.  Verse forty adds, Ye fools, did not he that made that which is without make that which is within also?   Jesus called them fools for not seeing that God Who makes all things clean on the outside also makes all things clean on the inside.  Cleaning up our outward appearance is never enough.  Verse forty-one continues, But rather give alms of such things as ye have; and, behold, all things are clean unto you.  Basically,  Jesus said that if the Pharisees were more concerned about helping those in need than they were about ritual cleansing, then they would be made clean.  We can go through all the rituals that we believe to be associated with worshipping God, but if we do not help those around us when we can, then we are not following God's leadership.  Verse forty-two says, But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. Jesus said the Pharisees tithed, but they passed over the judgment and love of God.  Going through the rituals of following God will not save us if we do not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  When we have that personal relationship, then all that we do will be lit up by the light of Jesus Christ.  Verse forty-three adds, Woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye love the uppermost seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets.  Jesus pronounced further woe on the Pharisees because they wanted to be idolalized by people, and not because they were simply sinners saved by grace.  If we are serving God for the praise of people, then we are no better than the Pharisees in Jesus's day.  Verse forty-four continues, Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are as graves which appear not, and the men that walk over them are not aware of them.  Jesus further pronounced woe on the scribes and Pharisees because they were like unmarked graves that people walked over without realizing it.  They were leading people away from God and the people didn't realize it.  We must make sure that we aren't hypocritical in our worship of God, and we certainly must make sure that we never lead others astray.

Luke 11:24

Luke 11:24 says, When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out.  Jesus did not say when an unclean spirit had been cast out, but when it left on its own.  We may have demons that we believe that we have defeated without God's help, and if we do, we may return to our normal life believing we have no more to worry about.  Verse twenty-five adds, And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished.  Upon returning to his house, everything looks neat and tidy to the man.  We may think things look neat and tidy in our everyday life without relying on God to guide us, but if we do, we are setting ourselves up for trouble to come.  Verse twenty-six continues, Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first.  Jesus said that when the man who had seemed victorious over one demon returned to his old life without putting his trust in God as the source of his victory, he invited seven more wicked spirits into his life to dwell there.  We may be so proud of the fact that we have overcome some demon or sin on our own that we don't notice that we have allowed seven more even worse demons or sins into our life.  We can become hypocritical and judgmental about others because we believe we have defeated our demons by our own power without acknowledging that God has given us the victory.  Verse twenty-seven states, And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked.  While Jesus was speaking, a woman shouted out that the woman who had given birth to Jesus was blessed.  The woman was praising Jesus as a man, and giving His mother credit for His being such a good man.  Mary was blessed to be the mother of Jesus, but she was not the reason He was the Man He is.  It was and is the heavenly Father that we should praise for sending Jesus, His only begotten Son, to save us.  Verse twenty-eight adds, But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.  Jesus said that instead of praising Mary as blessed, we should acknowledge that those who hear and keep the word of God, coming to Jesus by faith for the forgiveness of our sins, are the ones who are blessed.  Verse twenty-nine declares, And when the people were gathered thick together, he began to say, This is an evil generation: they seek a sign; and there shall no sign be given it, but the sign of Jonas the prophet.  When the people gathered around Him again, Jesus called them an evil generation for seeking a sign that He was indeed the Messiah.  There are still people today who are looking for a sign that Jesus really is the only Savior.  I believe that there are also many people who are so caught up in trying to look for the signs of Christ's return that they lose sight of their purpose as followers of Christ, and that is to witness to the lost.  Verse thirty adds, For as Jonas was a sign unto the Ninevites, so shall also the Son of man be to this generation.  Jesus said the only sign they would get was the sign Jonah gave to the Ninevites, and that was his restoration after three days in the belly of the whale.  The only sign we are going to get is the empty tomb where Jesus rose from the dead.  Verse thirty-one continues, The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation, and condemn them: for she came from the utmost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.  Jesus said they queen of the south in Solomon's day would rise up in judgment against the people there, because she traveled a great distance to hear the wisdom of Solomon,  and One greater than Solomon, Jesus Himself, was there.  Verse thirty-two concludes, The men of Nineve shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.  Jesus said even the people of Nineveh would condemn the present generation of the people of Isreal, because they had repented and turned to God at the preaching of Jonah, and the people around Jesus had not repented and turned to God at the preaching of Christ, One much greater than Jonah.  I don't believe that we are to judge other Christians, but unless we have accepted Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, other Christians from long ago could judge us for failing to accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, but it is only the judgment of Jesus Christ Himself that really matters.

Luke 11:14

Luke 11:14 says, And he was casting out a devil, and it was dumb. And it came to pass, when the devil was gone out, the dumb spake; and the people wondered.  Jesus cast out a devil from a person who could not speak, and then the man spoke.  When we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, their is no demon that He does not cast out, and we are able to speak the truth spiritually for the first time and it have meaning.  Verse fifteen adds, But some of them said, He casteth out devils through Beelzebub the chief of the devils.  Some people may have given Jesus praise for what He had done, but many tried to discredit Him by saying He was casting out devils by the power of Beelzebub, or Satan, the chief of the devils.  There are still many people today who see a miracle and want to give credit to anyone but God.  Verse sixteen continues, And others, tempting him, sought of him a sign from heaven.  Still others wanted to tempt Jesus by asking for a sign from heaven.  We do not need to ask for some separate heavenly sign when we see a miracle from God today, but simply need to accept the miracle itself as a sign of God's love and mercy.  To do less is to tempt God. Verse seventeen declares, But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falleth.  Jesus didn't just hear their words, but He knew the thoughts behind their words as well.  It is our thoughts that are important to God.  Jesus said a house divided against itself will fall.  Verse eighteen adds, If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub.  Jesus asked that if Satan was divided against himself, which he would be if Jesus was casting out demons in the name of Beelzebub, how could Satan stand.  What we need to realize is that all evil is under the power of Satan and all good is under the power of God.  Verse nineteen continues, And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your sons cast them out? therefore shall they be your judges.  Jesus asked if He was casting out devils by the power of Beelzebub, then by whose power were their sons casting them out.  There were other men of Israel who were casting out devils in God's name, and they were praised.  Jesus had sent out some who did so.  We cannot attribute the miraculous work of God through certain people and attempt to discredit it through others if we are to be true followers of Christ.  We cannot be a divided house of God and be successful in advancing His kingdom as effectively as we should be.  Verse twenty states, But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you.  Jesus said that if He cast out demons with the finger of God, then the kingdom of God had come upon them.  As followers of Christ, all that we do should be done under the power of God, because He is the only source of spiritual power.  Verse twenty-one adds, When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace:  Verse twenty-two continues, But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils.  Even though a strong man might have a stronger man take what is his, there is no stronger man than God, nor any Devil that is stronger, so if we put our faith in God, we are secure as long as we retain our faith.  Verse twenty-three declares, He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.  This is a very simple but very profound statement.  We are either for God or against God.  Their is no middle ground.

Luke 11:5

Luke 11:5 says, And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves;  Verse six adds, For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him?  Jesus asked a question that is still pertinent today.  If one of our friends came to us in the middle of the night asking for bread. to help because of unexpected company arriving, what would we do.  Verse seven states,  And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee.  Jesus said the man within told his friend basically to go away and leave him alone.  He had plenty of excuses for this also.  They had no twenty-four hour stores then, and we might add this excuse today.  Just go to the store we might tell them.  Verse eight adds, I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.  Jesus said if the friend continued to knock, the man would get up and help him because of his persistence even if he wouldn't help him as just because he was a friend.  Verse nine declares, And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.  Jesus made a promise that if we seek Him, He can be found, and that we knock to ask of Him in faith, His door will be opened.  Verse ten adds, For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.  Jesus said all anyone had to do was ask and that person would receive salvation from Him.  We don't have to beg, or do great things, but we simply have to ask Jesus for salvation.  Some would make this about asking for anything we want, but that is not what the story said.   The man was asking for something he needed, and until we accept Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord, we all need salvation.  Verse eleven asks, If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?  Jesus asked if any father had a son ask for bread would he give his son a stone, or if he asked for a fish, would he give his son a serpent.  This applies to us as children of God asking God to meet our daily needs, but not our daily desires.  Verse twelve adds, Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?  This continues to ask about a father helping his son with his daily needs.  Verse thirteen declares, If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?  This was after the disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray, and He asked if they being sinful men would help their children, how much more would God help His children meet their daily needs.  If we as followers of Christ have a need today in order to do what God calls us to do, we simply need to ask Him to help us.

Luke 11:1

Luke 11:1 says, And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.  When Jesus was praying, after He finished, one of His disciples asked Him to teach them to pray as John the Baptist had taught his disciples.  We may hear someone say today that they would pray, but they don't know how.  Prayer is simply pouring your heart out to God, and there are no required words or formula.  Verse two adds, And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.  Jesus began to teach them how to pray.  They were to start by acknowledging God as their Father and keeping His name hallowed, or holy.  Then, they were to ask that His kingdom come and His will be done on earth as it was in heaven.  If God is to hear our prayers, we must first acknowledge Him as our heavenly Father, then our prayer must be not for what we want or desire, but for God's will to be done in our life.  Verse three continues, Give us day by day our daily bread.  The disciples were to pray that God would meet their needs every day, and that should be our prayer today.  Verse four concludes, And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.  They were to pray that they were forgiven as they forgave others, and that they not be led into temptation.  We must forgive others as God has forgiven us, and that is undeservedly.  We are also to pray the we not be led into temptation, which can happen if we begin to pray for what we want instead of what God wants for us.  As followers of Christ, we don't need to follow someone else's way to pray, but simply need to bring our cares and concerns, not our wants and desires, to God. 

Luke 10:38

Luke 10:38 says, Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.  As Jesus was traveling, a woman named Martha invited Him into her house.  Jesus always had to rely on the kindness of others for His daily needs.  Martha was likely a widow, and the cost of providing for Jesus and His disciples was not cheap, but she was willing to make the sacrifice.  They did not demand the best of food nor even the best house to eat it in.  Today, too often those who profess to follow Christ want assurance that they will have everything they want before they go, and they want the best food and lodging when they get there.  Verse thirty-nine adds, And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.  Martha's sister Mary sat at the feet of Jesus and listened as He taught.  She was not helping Martha with the preparations.  Sometimes, when we are working to spread the gospel, others are going to be learning more from Jesus about being a Christian.  Verse forty states, But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.  Martha, who had invited Jesus, became upset because Mary wasn't helping her prepare for His visit.  She asked Jesus to bid Mary to help her.  If we are busy doing what we believe God wants us to do as followers of Christ, we should not get upset if it appears that some other Christian is doing less, and we certainly shouldn't tell God to have them join us in what we are doing.  Verse forty-one adds, And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:  Jesus told Martha that she was busy being troubled by many things.  Sometimes, we may feel troubled by all that we feel we need to do for Jesus, but just being busy is not enough.  Verse forty-two continues, But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.  Jesus told Martha that she had missed one needful thing, and that was that she had allowed the preparation of the meal to become more important than spending time with Jesus.  We need to be careful that we don't get so caught up in church work  that we neglect time alone with God.  Jesus said Mary had chosen to do that good part, and it wouldn't be taken away from her.  When we are doing what we believe God wants us to do, we don't need to be worried about what other Christians are doing, and we certainly should never judge them.

Luke 10:29

Luke 10:29 says, But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?  The lawyer, still trying to get Jesus to say something that he could use against Him, asked who his neighbor was when it was determined that God expects us to love our neighbor as ourself.  People are still trying to make Jesus look bad today by twisting or mistnterpting His words.  Verse thirty adds, And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.  Jesus did not answer the man's question directly, but used it as a teaching opportunity.  Jesus said a man went from Jerusalem to Jerico and thieves stripped him of his clothes, wounded him, and went away leaving him in a ditch.  We still hear of much the same thing happening too often today.  Verse thirty-one continues, And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.  A priest, a man who was supposed to represent God, came that way, and didn't even cross the road to check on the man.  He may have felt that he was too busy doing God's work to be bothered, and we need too be careful that we don't get so caught up in religious activities that we don't have time to help others.  Verse thirty-two states, And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.  A Levite, another man of God at least in name, came along, went over and looked at the man, then went on his way on the other side.  Looking on people in need and doing nothing to help them is never enough for us as followers of Christ to do.  Verse thirty-three adds, But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,   Jesus said a Samaritan, someone the Jews would have nothing to do with, came along and had compassion on the man.  Sadly, there are people that we would have nothing to do with as Christians today who have more compassion on those in need than we have as Christians.  Verse thirty-four continues, And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.  The Samaritan went out of his way, and at expense to himself, helped the man.  He treated the man's wounds, set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn.  I would assume that the man had been riding his beast, and now he had to walk.  We should be willing to go out of our way to help others, even if it costs us to do so.  Verse thirty-five concludes,  And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.  The next day, the Samaritan made arrangements for the continued care of the man until he was well.  Sometimes, we may need to go beyond just meeting the immediate physical needs of those that we help, and be willing to make sure that they can get back on their feet before we feel we have done enough.  Verse thirty-six asks, Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?  Jesus then asked the lawyer which of these three was a neighbor to the man who had fallen among thieves.  The question of who was his neighbor was the man's original question, and now Jesus was going to allow him to answer it.  At times, God may allow us to answer our own spiritual questions, but as followers of Christ, we will always have to guidance of the Holy Spirit available.  Verse thirty-seven answers, And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.  The lawyer had very little way to avoid answering the question without saying the one who helped the man, who was the Samaritan, was the neighbor.  Then, Jesus told the lawyer to go and do likewise.  We don't need to ask questions to limit who we help today, but simply need to help those that we come into contact with in any way that God leads us to do.

Lukec10;21

Luke 10:21 says, In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.  Jesus said that we cannot know Him and come to Him through earthly wisdom, but can only come as babies, helpless by our own understanding and power.  Education and earthly power or position will never bring us to God.  Verse twenty-two adds, All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him.  Jesus said the heavenly Father gave Him all His power, and that only He knew Who the heavenly Father really was.  Likewise, only the heavenly Father knew Who Jesus was, and those that the heavenly Father revealed the knowledge of Who Jesus was to.  We can know Who Jesus is, but we can never know all of Who God is.  Verse twenty-three states, And he turned him unto his disciples, and said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see:  Jesus privately told the disciples that eyes of those who blessed what they saw, the miraculous works of Jesus, were blessed.  We are still blessed when we see Jesus Christ for Who He is, and that is the Savior of all who will accept Him as such by faith.  Verse twenty-four adds, For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.  Jesus told the disciples that many prophets had desired to see and hear the things that the disciples saw and heard, but they hadn't seen nor heard them.  A desire to hear and see about salvation is not enough until Jesus comes to us and we accept Him by faith.  Verse twenty-five says, And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?  A lawyer stood up and asked Jesus what he had to do to receive eternal life, not because he really wanted to know, but to tempt, or somehow trick, Jesus. There are still people today who question Jesus, not because they desire to follow Him, but in order to somehow discredit Him.  Verse twenty-six adds, He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?  Jesus asked the lawyer what was written in the scripture and how did he interpret it.  We must acknowledge God's law and what it means if we are are to follow Jesus Christ successfully.  Jesus said He did not come to destroy the law, but to fulfill it.  Verse twenty-seven continues, And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.  The lawyer answered that we are to love God with all our heart, soul, strength and mind, or with all the we are in other words, and that we are to love our neighbors as we love ourselves.  The lawyer knew what was required, but he had not put his faith in it based on the reason that he asked the question.  We may know all the facts about how to be saved, but until we accept them by faith in Jesus Christ, it will do us no good.  Verse twenty-eight concludes, And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.  Jesus told the lawyer that he had answered correctly, and to now go and do these things by faith, and he would have everlasting life.  Of course, the lawyer could not do these things by his own ability and neither can we.  We all fall short when we attempt to come to God by our own merit, which is why faith in Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord is the only way we can have everlasting life.

Luke 10:10

Luke 10:10 says, But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say,  Jesus also told those disciples what to do in a city that would not receive them.  Verse eleven adds, Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.  They were to go out in the streets of those cities, shake the dust off their feet, and tell the people there that the kingdom of God had come nigh to them.  They were not to rant and rave, but were simply to tell the people in those cities that they had been given the opportunity to become a part of God's kingdom.  We are not to be angry at people who will not hear us when we witness, but we can at least tell them that they had the opportunity to be saved.  Verse twelve, continues, But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city.  These disciples were also to warn the people in those cities that it would be more tolerable for the people of Sodom in the day of judgment than it would be for them.  Those who have a greater understanding of the gospel and reject it will be held more accountable then those who never heard the gospel.  Verse thirteen declares, Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been done in you, they had a great while ago repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.  There was a warning to two cities in particular, telling them if the mighty works done in them had been done in Tyre and Sidon, that they would have have repented long ago.  Since great works of God have been done in America, and we call ourselves a Christian nation, if people here reject Christ, I believe they will be held more accountable than in places where Christ cannot be preached.  Verse fourteen adds, But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment, than for you.  Jesus said it would be more tolerable in Tyre and Sidon, Gentile cities, where His message had not been preached,  than in these two cities.  Verse fifteen continues, And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell.  There was a warning for the people of Capernaum, another Jewish city where Jesus had preached, that they might think they were exalted to heaven because the were a part of the nation of Israel, but they were to be cast down into hell for rejecting Jesus Christ.  It doesn't matter if we feel that we are exalted by God because of where we were born if we reject the gospel of Christ.  Verse sixteen says, He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me.  Jesus said that those who rejected the disciples that He sent rejected Him and the heavenly Father Who sent Him.  This remains true today of those who reject us when we share the gospel of Christ with them.  Verse seventeen adds, And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.  These seventy that Jesus sent out returned telling Him that even the devils were subject to them when they dealt with them by faith in Jesus's name.  We have no less power when we are truly acting in the power of Christ today.  Verse eighteen states, And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.  Jesus said He had seen Satan fall from heaven.  His power had always been limited, and it still is today.  Verse nineteen adds, Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.  This did not mean that these disciples were to go out and look for serpents and scorpions to walk on to prove their faith, but that if they were to step on them while proclaiming the gospel that they would have no more power over them than any enemy of God had.  They were secure in their relationship to God through faith in Jesus Christ no matter what.  If we stand for God, nothing can stand against us.  Verse twenty continues, Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.  Jesus told these disciples not to rejoice in their victory over demons, but to rejoice that their names were written down in heaven.  This is reason that we should rejoice today as well.  

Luke 10 :1

Luke 10:1 says, After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.  Jesus appointed seventy other disciples and sent them out by twos to prepare the people in the cities around there where He might come for His coming.  We today are to prepare the cities around us for the second coming of Jesus by sharing the gospel with them.  Verse two adds, Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.  The harvest then, those who needed to hear about Jesus was great, and it is even greater today.  There were few laborers, those who would share the gospel then, and their are few today.  Just as Jesus told them to pray to the Lord of the harvest then to send harvesters, so must we today.  Verse three states, Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves.  Jesus told these seventy to go on their way, and He sent them as lambs among wolves.  We may find it dangerous to preach the gospel today, but we still must go where God sends us and do what God calls us to do.  Verse four adds, Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way.  Jesus gave them the same instructions that He had given the disciples earlier.  They were to take nothing with them and not to salute people along them way.  They were to let nothing distract them from their mission.  I believe that too often today we want to carry too much with us as we go where God sends us instead of relying on His provision, and we are often distracted by others along the way.  Verse five says, And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house.  Jesus told them to declare peace to the first house they entered.  If they accepted the disciples and the gospel of Christ then they would have peace, and so will anyone who accepts Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord today.  Verse six adds, And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again.  Jesus warned them that some people would accept their message and others would not, and this is still true today. Verse seven continues, And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.  Jesus told them to stay in the house that they were invited to stay in and to eat and drink whatever was offered them, and that as laborers for Christ they were worthy to have their needs provided for.  God will provide for us as Christians today if we rely on Him in faith.  Verse eight states, And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you:  In any city that received these disciples,  they were to eat what was set before them.  They were not to make special demands for what they ate, but were to eat as those that they met ate.  We should never demand better for ourselves today as we share the gospel than what those that we are sharing it with live off of.  Verse nine adds, And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.  These disciples were to heal the sick and tell them the kingdom of God had come nigh to them.  Jesus had yet to complete His sacrifice of Himself for our sins, but the time was getting closer.  When someone accepts Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord today, their salvation is assured. 

Luke 9:57

Luke 9:57 says, And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.  As Jesus and His disciples were traveling a certain way, a man came to Him and said that he would follow Jesus, whom he called Lord, anywhere that He went.  The man had decided on his own to follow Jesus, and this was a bold statement, and many people make the same bold statement today, but it wasn't necessarily a statement made from faith in Who Jesus really is.  Verse fifty-eight adds, And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.  Jesus toldcthe man that he hadn't counted the cost of following Him.  Jesus said that unlike the foxes and birds, He didn't even have a place to lay His head.  Jesus had no home here on earth, and if the man was going to follow Jesus for earthly rewards, he was going to be disappointed.  This earth is not our home, and if we are following Jesus for earthly rewards, we are going to be disappointed.  Verse fifty-nine states, And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.  Jesus called on another man to follow Him, but the man said let him go and bury his father first.  Matthew Henry says the man's father was not yet dead, but had only a short time to live.  When Jesus calls us following Him should be our first priority.  Verse sixty adds, Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.  Jesus told the man to let the dead bury the dead, and for the man to go and preach the gospel.  We cannot allow anything in the world to stop us from following Jesus Christ when He calls us, nor from doing what He calls us to do and be truly faithfulful.  Verse sixty-one says, And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.  Another man who had decided on His own to follow Jesus said that he would follow Him once he said goodbye to his family.  He was putting saying goodbye to them as a condition to following Jesus, and we can never do this.  We must put following Jesus above everything else.  Verse sixty-two adds, And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.  Jesus said that no one who had claimed to follow Him and continued to look back at the things left behind as more important than following Him was not fit for the kingdom of God.  Once we become a follower of Christ, we cannot look back on what we have left behind materially and allow it to be more important than following Him, and that even includes our family. 

Luke 9:46

Luke 9:46 says, Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest.  Jesus's disciples started to reason, or we would probably say argue, about which of them should be the greatest.  They still did not understand Who Jesus really was nor what He had called them to do.  Some people today still argue about who is the greatest in God's kingdom, but when they do, it shows that they really don't know what it means to follow Christ.  Verse forty-seven adds, And Jesus, perceiving the thought of the heart, took a child, and set him by him,  Jesus knew what they were thinking, and took a child and set him by Him.  We need to realize that we will be held accountable not only for our actions, but for our thoughts as well.  Verse forty-eight continues, And said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great. Jesus said anyone who received a child in His name received Him, and anyone who received Him received the heavenly Father Who sent Him.  The key is not receiving the child, but faith in Jesus Christ as ones Savior and Lord.  Then Jesus said the least among them, and He was talking to His disciples, would be greatest.  We should never serve God for self recognition by the world.  Verse forty-nine states, And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us.  John told Jesus that the disciples had seen someone casting out devils in Jesus's name, and they forbid him from doing so.  The man was evidently being successful in doing what God would have His people do, even if He wasn't one of the twelve disciples.  We should never attempt to stop other people from doing God's work because we feel they aren't qualified or authorized.  Verse fifty adds, And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us.  Jesus told them to not forbid the man, because anyone who was not against Jesus was for Him.  We cannot limit who serves God as long as they have put their faith in Jesus.  Verse fifty-one says, And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem,  When the time came that Jesus was to be received up, or killed, He set His face resolutely toward Jerusalem.  Jesus knew what awaited Him, but He didn't waiver in His resolve to do it, and neither should we.  We should set our face resolutely not on Jerusalem but on Jesus, and never waiver in our faith, even if it costs us our life.  Verse fifty-two adds, And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him.  Jesus sent a messenger before Him into Samaria, a place that the Jews avoided.  We need to carry God's good news of salvation to all people, whether we like them or not.  Verse fifty-three continues, And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem.  The Samaritans did not receive Jesus, and He remained steadfast in His resolve to go to Jerusalem.  If people that we witness to do not accept us, we must still remain steadfast in doing what He calls us to do.  Verse fifty-four states, And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?  When James and John saw that the Samaritans rejected Jesus, they asked if they should call down fire from heaven as Elijah did and destroy the Samaritans who rejected Jesus.  Destroying those who reject Jesus is not our responsibility.  We are still to reach out to them with the love of God.  Verse fifty-five adds, But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.  Jesus rebuked James and John and told them they didn't know what spirit they were under, but it wasn't His spirit.  If we begin to call for the destruction of those who will not accept Jesus, then we are not operating under His spirit.   Verse fifty-six continues, For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.  Jesus told them that He didn't come to destroy people but to save them, and that is still true today.  Jesus and the disciples went to another village to witness, and if we are rejected when we witness today, we must just move on to someone else to witness to. 

Luke 9:37

Luke 9:37 says, And it came to pass, that on the next day, when they were come down from the hill, much people met him.  After Jesus went down the hill, or mountain, with Peter, James and John they were met by many people.  The three disciples had wanted to build a tabernacle for Jesus and Moses and Elijah because of the glorious thing they had seen, but Jesus led them back down the mountain to where the people were.  If we have a mountaintop experience, we cannot just stay there, but must go back down to where the people are.  Verse thirty-eight adds, And, behold, a man of the company cried out, saying, Master, I beseech thee, look upon my son: for he is mine only child.  A man in the crowd called out to Jesus, calling Him Master, and said that Jesus had to look on his son, who was his only son.  If we come to Jesus with a problem today, we must acknowledge Him as not only our Master, but the Master of the universe.  Verse thirty-nine continues, And, lo, a spirit taketh him, and he suddenly crieth out; and it teareth him that he foameth again, and bruising him hardly departeth from him.  The man said his son was under the control of a demon that was causing him to foam at the mouth and hurt himself.  If we have a child today that is under the control of a demon, and that might be drugs or alcohol instead of a real demon,  we need to come to Jesus in prayer out of real love and concern for them.  Verse forty concludes, And I besought thy disciples to cast him out; and they could not.  The man had come to the disciples who had remained behind and asked them to cast the devil out, and they could not.  What we need to realize is that of our own ability we can do nothing spiritually, but only by the power of the Holy Spirit can we.  Verse forty-one states, And Jesus answering said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you, and suffer you? Bring thy son hither.  Jesus called those there, including the disciples, a faithless and perverse generation and asked them how long He could be with them.  Though Jesus's time on earth was limited, by faith the people then and we today can do great things for God, but too often we like them fail to act in faith.  He told the man to bring his son to Him, and that is what we must do for our children today.  Verse forty-two adds, And as he was yet a coming, the devil threw him down, and tare him. And Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the child, and delivered him again to his father.  While the boy was on his way, the devil in him threw him down and caused him to harm himself.  The devil will still do all that he can to keep us from coming to Jesus.  Jesus rebuked the devil then, and He will do the same today if we allow Him to.  Verse forty-three says, And they were all amazed at the mighty power of God. But while they wondered every one at all things which Jesus did, he said unto his disciples,  The people were amazed and wondered about the miraculous things Jesus did, but we are not told that they put their faith in Him for Who He is, the only begotten Son of God and the Savior of all who will put their faith in Him.  Wondering about God is not enough.  Verse forty-four adds, Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men.  Jesus had a message for His disciples, and that was that He would not be with them long before He as delivered into the hands of men who wanted Him dead.  We have so much more of an advantage as followers of Christ today, because the Holy Spirit is always with us.  Verse forty-five continues, But they understood not this saying, and it was hid from them, that they perceived it not: and they feared to ask him of that saying.  The disciples didn't understand what Jesus was telling them and were afraid to ask Him.  If we do not understand something that Jesus is teaching us today, we need never be afraid to ask Him what He means. 

Luke 9:28

Luke 9:28 says, And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray.  Jesus took three of His disciples,  Peter, John and James up a mountain to pray.  This was about eight days after Jesus had been teaching the people the parables.  We are not told what Jesus was doing during that time, but I believe that we can be certain that He wasn't just sitting and waiting.  People may not know what we are doing for God all the time, but we don't need to be just sitting and waiting for the return of Jesus Christ.  Verse twenty-nine adds, And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering.  As Jesus prayed, His countenance, or appearanc, changed.   His clothes began to glow.  I don't believe we will ever be that much in touch with God, but we should be spiritually glowing when we pray, because when we sincerely pray, we are as close to God as we can get in this lifetime.  Verse thirty declares, And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias:  While Jesus was praying, two men appeared with Him, Moses and Elijah.  I do not profess to know how this was possible, except that Jesus is the bridge between heaven and earth.  I believe that from the way Jesus looked that He was more in the heavenly realm than that Moses and Elijah were in the earthly realm.  Verse thirty-one adds, Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.  Jesus was discussing with them His coming death and resurrection.  They were great prophets, but Jesus was so much more.  Jesus alone is the One Who is capable of bringing salvation.  Verse thirty-two adds, But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him.  Peter, James and John had been very sleepy and fell asleep when Jesus took them with Him to pray.  We need to be careful that we are not spiritually asleep when we are called to do something for God, even the simplest of things like pray.  They woke up to a glorious sight, and so might we if we stay spiritually alert.  Verse thirty-three continues, And it came to pass, as they departed from him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias: not knowing what he said.  As Moses and Elijah were leaving, Peter asked if it wouldn't be good for them to build three tabernacles for Jesus and them.  We are told that Peter did not know what he was asking.  We cannot nor should not want to have those who are in heaven to return and stay here on earth, nor could Jesus stay then.  Verse thirty-four states, While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud.  While Jesus was speaking, the disciples and He were covered by a cloud.  The cloud had indicated God's presence and the three disciples were afraid as they entered the cloud.  As followers of Christ, we have no reason to be afraid of being in the presence of God.  Verse thirty-five adds, And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.  Once again, God declared Jesus be His beloved Son.  One day, when Christ returns God will pronounce all who believe in Jesus Christ to be His beloved children.  Verse thirty-six continues, And when the voice was past, Jesus was found alone. And they kept it close, and told no man in those days any of those things which they had seen.  When the cloud passed, Jesus was alone with the three disciples.  It was not yet time for Him to return to Heaven.  Peter, James and John told no one what had happened until after the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus.   We on the other hand, being on the other side of Jesus's death, burial and resurrection should tell everyone of any and all miraculous things we may see as followersofChrist. . 

Luke 9:18

Luke 9:18 says, And it came to pass, as he was alone praying, his disciples were with him: and he asked them, saying, Whom say the people that I am?  When Jesus was alone with His disciples praying, He asked them Who did people say He was.  This is the question that every person ultimately needs to answer.  Verse nineteen adds, They answering said, John the Baptist; but some say, Elias; and others say, that one of the old prophets is risen again.  The disciples said that different people said different things.  Some said He was John the Baptist, some said Elijah, and others said one of the old prophets risen from the dead.  People may think that Jesus is just the same as some other long dead prophet, but until they see Him for Who He really is, the only begotten Son of God Who died to save mankind from the penalty of sin, it will do them no good to acknowledge that He existed in history.  Verse twenty states, He said unto them, But whom say ye that I am? Peter answering said, The Christ of God.  Jesus then made it a personal question for the disciples, and at some point it will become a personal question that every individual will have to answer.  Peter answered and said that Jesus was the Christ of God, or the promised Messiah.  This is the only answer that will ever do us any good.  Verse twenty-one adds, And he straitly charged them, and commanded them to tell no man that thing;  At this time, Jesus told the disciples to not tell anyone this, but today we have His command to tell everyone.  Verse twenty-two  continues, Saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day.  Jesus then told them what He must suffer.  I am sure this is not what the disciples expected to hear.  They had left everything to follow Jesus, most likely expecting to reign with Him in power, and He was telling them that He was going to be persecuted, rejected by the religious leaders, be killed and raised the third day.  We cannot follow Jesus because we expect worldly riches and success, but as Christians must daily take up our cross and follow Him.  Verse twenty-three declares, And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.  As just stated, if we are to follow Jesus, we must deny ourself and daily take up our cross, or die to ourself.  Verse twenty-four adds, For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.  Jesus said that if we value our physical life more than our relationship with Him, we will ultimately lose our everlasting life with Him.  On the other hand, if we value our relationship with Jesus more then even our physical life, then we will save our everlasting life by our faith in Him.  Verse twenty-five asks, For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?  Jesus asked the disciples what they would gain if everything in the world in the world belonged to them, but they lost their relationship with God and were cast away.  We must individually answer this question today.  Verse twenty-six adds, For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father’s, and of the holy angels.  Jesus said if we are ashamed of Him in this life that He will be ashamed of us when He returns in glory.  We need to live everyday for God's glory as followers of Christ and proclaim our faith to the world.   Verse twenty-seven continues, But I tell you of a truth, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God.  The disciple did not yet truly know Who Jesus was, but He said they would not face death until they did.  As long as we are alive, we have the opportunity to accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, and we must do so before we die.

Luke 9:10

Luke 9:10 says, And the apostles, when they were returned, told him all that they had done. And he took them, and went aside privately into a desert place belonging to the city called Bethsaida.  The disciples, when the returned, told Jesus all that they had done.  Then, He took them and went alone to a desert place near the city of Bethsaida.  We need our time alone with God, where we can discuss with Him through prayer what He wants us to do and how successful we have been in doing what He has called us to do.  Verse eleven adds, And the people, when they knew it, followed him: and he received them, and spake unto them of the kingdom of God, and healed them that had need of healing.  Once again, the people came to Jesus when they knew where He was.  Jesus did not tell them He had other plans so away, but began to heal them and teach them.  As I have stated several times, it would be wonderful if people were so anxious to come to Jesus today, but if they do, would we change our plans to help tham?  Verse twelve states, And when the day began to wear away, then came the twelve, and said unto him, Send the multitude away, that they may go into the towns and country round about, and lodge, and get victuals: for we are here in a desert place.  As it began to get late in the day, the disciples came to Jesus and told Him to send the crowds away.  They were in the desert, and the disciples said Jesus needed to send them away so that they could find food and a place to spend the night.  They were more concerned about physical things than spiritual ones, and we may at times allow physical concerns to be more important than spiritual ones as well.  Verse thirteen adds, But he said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they said, We have no more but five loaves and two fishes; except we should go and buy meat for all this people.  Jesus told the disciples to feed the people, which is His command to us to do spiritually, and sometimes physically, today as well.  The disciples said they only had five loaves of bread and two fish.  They were looking at what they had and not what Jesus could do, and we do not need to do that as followers of Christ today.  They also asked if Jesus expected them to go and buy food for all the people.  They were looking to their own ability and basically asking what would it cost them to feed the crowd. They needed to look to Jesus instead, and so must we.  Verse fourteen says, For they were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, Make them sit down by fifties in a company.  There were about five thousand men there, so the overall number was even greater.  Jesus told the disciples to have them sit down in groups of fifty.  The people had to obey the disciples who were acting under the authority of Jesus in order to be fed.  If we want to be spiritually fed today, we must listen to the Holy Spirit and also to those who are teaching and preaching under God's authority.  Verse fifteen adds, And they did so, and made them all sit down.  The disciples did as Jesus told them to do, but I believe that they may have still been been looking at the five loaves and two fish and wondering what the point was.  We need to focus on what God calls us to do instead of looking at the physical or material reasons why it cannot be done.  Verse sixteen declares, Then he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed them, and brake, and gave to the disciples to set before the multitude.  Jesus took the food, which had not changed in its amount, looked up to heaven and blseed it.  If we are in a seemingly impossible situation when doing what God has called us to do, we don't need to look at our limitations, but need to look up to God instead.  Verse seventeen adds, And they did eat, and were all filled: and there was taken up of fragments that remained to them twelve baskets.  The crowd ate, and there were twelve baskets full of leftover food, one for each of the disciples.  No one received any more or any less because of who the disciple was who passed it out.  We are not going to be more spiritually fed or less spiritually fed because of who is preaching or teaching today.  Jesus is still the One Who feeds us spiritually as Christians. 

Luke 9:1

Luke 9:1 says, Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.  Jesus called the twelve disciples together and gave the power and authority over all devils, not just a few or the small ones.  He gives us the same authority today under the power of the Holy Spirit.  He also gave them the power to cure diseases, but it doesn't say all diseases.  Through prayer with faith in God, we may have Him heal people who are suffering from diseases today, if it is His will that they be healed.  Just as the disciples were given the ability to do these things by the power and under God's guidance, so are we.  Verse two adds, And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.  Jesus sent the disciples to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.  As followers of Christ today, we are to share the gospel and help those who are spiritually sick be healed if they accept the gospel.  Verse three states, And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece.  Jesus told them not to take anything with them that they might need, but to go by faith.  Matthew Henry says that they were not to go too far away from Jesus when they went, and spiritually we are never to go too far from Jesus when we go to witness, and since rhe Holy Spirit lives within us, as long as we are obedient to Him, we will never be too far away.  Verse four adds, And whatsoever house ye enter into, there abide, and thence depart.  Jesus told them to stay in whatever house they were invited to stay in until the departed that area.  Jesus did not say find the best house and demand to be lodged there.  Sometimes today, when people say they are going to preach the gospel, they seem to believe that only the best will do for them, and want to ensure that they have it before they leave.  Verse five continues, And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them.  Jesus said that if people wouldn't receive the disciples, they were not to attempt to force them to, but were to shake the dust off their feet when they left as a testimony against them. We cannot force people to listen to the gospel today, and that is not our responsibility.  We are simply to share the gospel.  Verse six concludes, And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing every where.  The disciples left, doing what Jesus had told them to do.  As followers of Christ today, we must go where God sends us and do what He calls us to do.  Verse seven says, Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done by him: and he was perplexed, because that it was said of some, that John was risen from the dead;  Herod was perplexed by what Jesus was doing, because some people said He was John the Baptist come back from the dead.  Since Herod had John the Baptist beheaded, it is easy to understand His being perplexed by this thought.  People today too often fail to believe Who Jesus really is.  Verse eight adds, And of some, that Elias had appeared; and of others, that one of the old prophets was risen again.  Others claimed that Jesus was Elijah or one of the prophets who had risen again.  They were not accepting Jesus for Who He really is.  We must acknowledge Jesus by faith as the only begotten Son of God Who died for our sins in order for us to be saved.  Verse nine continues, And Herod said, John have I beheaded: but who is this, of whom I hear such things? And he desired to see him.  Herod said that since he had John the Baptist beheaded, he wondered Who Jesus was and desired to meet Him.  This was more from curiosity than from believing in Jesus.  Some people today are curious enough to want to know a little bit more about Jesus, but they, like Herod,  never come to Him by faith accepting Him for Who He really is, and that will never bring them salvation. 

Luke 8:49

Luke 8:49 says, While he yet spake, there cometh one from the ruler of the synagogue’s house, saying to him, Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master.  While Jesus was speaking to the woman, someone came from the leader of the synagogue’s house that Jesus was on His way to so that He could heal the man's daughter and told the synagogue leader that his daughter was dead.  It would have seemed that Jesus was too late.  Sometimes, when we are asking God for something, it may seem that He is too late to help us, but we must remember that as followers of Christ everlasting victory is already ours.  Verse fifty adds, But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole.  Jesus told the synagogue leader to not be afraid, but to only believe in Him, and his daughter would be made whole.  Basically, the man could choose to believe what the messenger said was the facts based on physical evidence, or he could believe Jesus by faith.   We today can either believe whet material facts seem to prove, or we can put our faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord and be made spiritually whole.  Verse fifty-one states, And when he came into the house, he suffered no man to go in, save Peter, and James, and John, and the father and the mother of the maiden.  When Jesus got to the house, Peter, James, John, and the girl's parents got to go in with Him.  As followers of Christ, we are not all called into the same situation.  The other disciples might have wondered why they were excluded, but if they were truly following Christ, they should not have.  Verse fifty-two adds, And all wept, and bewailed her: but he said, Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth.  Everyone was weeping and wailing, because they believed the girl to be dead.  We may look and a situation today and weep and wail because we are looking at what we see to be the facts and not to God by faith.  Jesus told them not to weep, because the girl was only asleep.  As yet, there was no proof of this fact.  We have to put our faith in God no matter what the physical evidence may seem to say is the truth.  Verse fifty-three says, And they laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead.  This crowd either overheard Jesus and laughed at Him with scorn because they thought they knew more than He did, or He spoke out to them from the house.  The other possibility is that the three disciples and the parents were acting this way, and the next verse seems to bear this out.  We may be close to Jesus and at times still allow what we see to be the facts keep us from putting our faith in Him.  Verse fifty-four adds, And he put them all out, and took her by the hand, and called, saying, Maid, arise.  Jesus put the ones He had called in to the house with Him outside once more, then He took the girl by the hand and told her to arise.  We may miss out on seeing a miracle if we fail to follow Jesus by faith no matter what the situation may seem to tell us iscthe truth.  Verse fifty-five states, And her spirit came again, and she arose straightway: and he commanded to give her meat.  The girls spirit returned to her, because when she died it departed, and she arose.  We may not witness a physical resurrection of any from the dead, but when we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, an even greater resurrection occurs, and that is a special resurrection whereby we are made well with God.  We need to arise when this happens and start feasting on His word.  Verse fifty-six adds, And her parents were astonished: but he charged them that they should tell no man what was done.  The parents of the girl were astonished, but Jesus told them not to tell anyone.  We today should be astonished when we are resurrected spiritually, but unlike the girl's parents then, we are told to tell everyone when we accept salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.  A physical healing here, even a restoration to this physical life, is always temporary, but salvation lasts forever. 

Luke 8:40

Luke 8:40 says, And it came to pass, that, when Jesus was returned, the people gladly received him: for they were all waiting for him.  When Jesus returned Galilee, the people were waiting for Him and gladly received Him.  Today we need to gladly receive Jesus as our Savior and Lord, but too many people still drive Him away.  Verse forty-one adds,  And, behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue: and he fell down at Jesus’ feet, and besought him that he would come into his house:   One man in particular, Jarius, a leader of the synagogue, came and fell at the feet of Jesus.  He may have been a powerful religious leader, but he was willing to humble himself before Jesus.  No matter how powerful we may be in the world, or even in the church, we must always humble ourselves before Christ.  Verse forty-two continues, For he had one only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she lay a dying. But as he went the people thronged him.  Jarius's only daughter who was about twelve years old was dying, and he could not save her, but believed that Jesus could.  Though they may be okay physically, until our children accept Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord, they are dying spiritually, and we cannot save them.  That is why it is so important that we come to Jesus in prayer and ask that He be able to reach them with His spiritual healing power, or salvation.  The key is, that like Jarius then, we cannot save them ourself, but must put them in the hands of Jesus.  Verse forty-three states, And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any,  The people had crowded around Jesus as Jarius was there seeking His help, and in the crowd was a woman with an issue of blood that the physicians had been unable heal, even though she spent all her money on them.  Some physical problems today cannot be healed by doctors, no matter how much money we spend on them.  Jesus can always heal us physically, though He doesn't always choose to do so, but He can always heal us spiritually if we allow Him to, and that is what really matters.  Verse forty-four adds, Came behind him, and touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched.  The women came up behind Jesus and touched the hem of His garment, and was immediately healed.  It was not the physical act of the woman touching the garment, but her faith in Jesus's ability that made her whole.  We cannot touch Jesus physically today, and even if it could be proven beyond a doubt that a garment belonged to Jesus, it would have no healing power.  We can be saved, spiritually healed, by faith in Jesus Christ alone.  Verse forty-five declares, And Jesus said, Who touched me? When all denied, Peter and they that were with him said, Master, the multitude throng thee and press thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?  Jesus asked who touched Him, and Peter asked how would He know when their was such a crowd around Him.  Even in the largest crowd, Jesus knows when any individual comes to Him for salvation.  Verse forty-six adds, And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me.  Jesus always knows when we reach out to Him spiritually, and when we reach out to Him spiritually His healing power will always flow out to us.  Verse forty-seven says, And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him, she declared unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately.  The woman, when she knew that she couldn't hide from Jesus, told the crowd that she was the one who had touched Him, and why.  We should never attempt to hide our relationship with Jesus, but should always be willing to tell the world what He has done for us.  Verse forty-eight adds, And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.  Jesus told the woman to go in peace, because her faith had healed her.  When we come to Jesus by faith, we can go in peace because we have been spiritually healed.  

 

Luke 8;26

Luke 8:26 says, And they arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, which is over against Galilee.  Verse twenty-seven adds, And when he went forth to land, there met him out of the city a certain man, which had devils long time, and ware no clothes, neither abode in any house, but in the tombs.  When Jesus and the disciples got to the land of the Gadarenes, they got off the boat and were met by a demon possessed man.  The man had been demon possessed a long time, was naked, and lived in the tombs.  There are people in the world today who are almost as bad, even if sometimes their demon is drugs.  Verse twenty-eight continues, When he saw Jesus, he cried out, and fell down before him, and with a loud voice said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God most high? I beseech thee, torment me not.  Even in his demon possessed state, the man, recognized Who Jesus was, the Son of God, though it was probably the demon himself who recognized Jesus, and asked what Jesus had to do with Him.  When we recognize Who Jesus is today, we may question what He would have to do with a sinner such as we are.  The man asked Jesus not to torment him, and as sinners who come to Jesus, we may feel that He deserve His torment, but if we truly come by faith in Him as our Savior and Lord, we know He is only here to forgive us and restore us to spiritual wholeness.  Verse twenty-nine states, (For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For oftentimes it had caught him: and he was kept bound with chains and in fetters; and he brake the bands, and was driven of the devil into the wilderness.)  This tells us that Jesus had commanded the demon, which had controlled the man many years and made the man uncontrollable by anyone else, to come out of the man.  We may not be as bad as the man, but until we accept Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord, we are following the devil.  Verse thirty adds, And Jesus asked him, saying, What is thy name? And he said, Legion: because many devils were entered into him.  Jesus asked the demon his name, and he said Legion, because many devils were in the man.  Some people today have many demons they fight against, or sometimes just give in to, but Jesus is able to cast them all out if we only allow Him to by accepting Him as our Savior and Lord.  Verse thirty-one continues, And they besought him that he would not command them to go out into the deep.  These devils knew Jesus was more powerful than they were and begged Him not to throw them into the deep.  All they had the power to do then is all they have the power to do today when confronting Jesus, and that is to beg.  Verse thirty-two says, And there was there an herd of many swine feeding on the mountain: and they besought him that he would suffer them to enter into them. And he suffered them.  The demons saw a herd of many swine nearby and asked Jesus to allow them to enter the swine.  Though Jesus could easily destroy all the demons, until He returns in the final judgment, they will still be allowed to exist, which is why we must continually put our faith in Him.  Jesus allowed them to do as they requested.  Verse thirty-three adds, Then went the devils out of the man, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the lake, and were choked.  The demons left the man, went into the swine, who ran violently down the steep place, and drowned in the sea.  The demons escape from death was short lived, and no matter how long they may be allowed to roam free in the world, all demons will one day face everlasting punishment.  Verse thirty-four states, When they that fed them saw what was done, they fled, and went and told it in the city and in the country.  Those in charge of the swine fled into the city and the country and told what had happened.  It doesn't say whether their emphasis was on the healing power of Jesus and the restoration of the man to wholeness or on the destruction of the swine.  Some people today who see a miraculous work of Jesus saving someone from their sins are only going to focus on what it may cost them materially.  Verse thirty-five continues, Then they went out to see what was done; and came to Jesus, and found the man, out of whom the devils were departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.  The people came to see what was happening  and found the man who had been uncontrollable clothed and sitting at Jesus's feet.  When we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, we should be found at His feet spiritually, learning daily from Him.  Those who had witnessed what had happened told those who came to see what had happened.  The people who cam were afraid, but we don't need to be afraid when we come to Jesus.  Verse thirty-six says, They also which saw it told them by what means he that was possessed of the devils was healed.  The witnesses also told the others the method by which the man was healed.   We need to tell others that we come into contact with the way that we were healed as followers of Christ, and that is by putting our faith in Jesus alone.  Verse thirty-seven adds, Then the whole multitude of the cousntry of the Gadarenes round about besought him to depart from them; for they were taken with great fear: and he went up into the ship, and returned back again.  Instead of accepting Jesus by faith, they asked Him to leave out of fear, and He got into the ship and left.  We should never let our fear of what it may cost us to keep us from inviting Jesus into our heart as our Savior and Lord.  Verse thirty-eight continues, Now the man out of whom the devils were departed besought him that he might be with him: but Jesus sent him away, saying,  The man who had the devils cast out wanted to go with Jesus, but Jesus sent him away.  This does not mean that Jesus rejected the man, but that the man had another purpose.  We today must seek God's purpose for us as Christians and realize that it may not always be what we may think it would be.  Verse thirty-nine concludes, Return to thine own house, and shew how great things God hath done unto thee. And he went his way, and published throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done unto him.  Just as Jesus sent this man to his own house to tell the people there what great things Jesus had done for him, so should we begin where we are to tell people the great things that Jesus has done for us when we accept Him as our Savior and Lord.  The man did as Jesus asked, and so must we as Christians today.