Luke 14:12-13

Scripture:

Luke 14:12-13 (NASB) “And He also went on to say to the one who had invited Him, ‘When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, otherwise they may also invite you in return and that will be your repayment. But when you give a reception, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind…’”

Observation:

I was going into 4^th grade when we made the move from our home in Buffalo to the suburb of Tonawanda. To a 4^th grader, a move like that is a scary thing. Living in a new neighborhood means beginning new friendships; then going to school means the same. I suppose I could have just sat in the house or sat in the classroom and not met anyone new, but over the course of the next few weeks, I began to make new friends. Many years later, with the social networking we have now, I could locate many of those old friends, reaching out and saying “remember me?” I wonder what they remember about me? What about the people we are meeting today? In a few years’ time, what will they remember us for? Will it be the day we shared Jesus? Will it be that we opened our door and offered a meal or a helping hand? Will they remember meeting Jesus and how we interacted with them? What will they say as they “remember us?” 

Application:

• Personal Application: Continue spending time with the Lord daily. Sow righteousness and reap the fruit of God's unfailing love.

 

• Family Devotional: Read this chapter to your family. Ask them if anything spoke to them as you read. Talk about their answers and show them that one important aspect of this chapter is that we must continue to spend time with the Lord and keep our hearts focused on His plans and purposes. Pray for them.

TOM SEMBER has been involved in ministering to men for over 25 years. He is an ordained minister with the AG in the NY Ministry Network. Tom lives with his wife, Carolyn, and children in New York. You can connect with Tom on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.