{"id":2264,"date":"2021-04-15T18:30:05","date_gmt":"2021-04-16T01:30:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cbcwla.org\/home\/en\/?p=2264"},"modified":"2021-04-10T23:38:25","modified_gmt":"2021-04-11T06:38:25","slug":"abiding-in-the-lord-luke-ch-6","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cbcwla.org\/home\/en\/blog\/abiding-in-the-lord-luke-ch-6\/","title":{"rendered":"Abiding in the Lord: Luke Ch. 6"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

(Translated version, original article written in Chinese by Pastor Mickey Hsiao)<\/em><\/p>\n

Worship<\/strong><\/h3>\n

By singing praises and hymns, awake your soul, open your heart to the Lord, and prepare yourself to welcome the presence of God and receive the Word of God that will be given to you.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Thanksgiving<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Petition with thanksgiving to God for a wonderful day and pray sincerely for a focused Scripture reading time! (Do not rush into reading the Bible without starting with prayers!<\/strong>) (e.g., you may start with a simple prayer like this: “Dear Lord, what will you be speaking to me today?)<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Scripture Reading<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Get the following items ready in advance: your devotional notebook, paper, pen, and\/or electronic devotional articles so that you can easily write down the Bible verses, questions, and thoughts you have noticed! You are encouraged to open your Bible and vocally read out the scriptures (Try to practice this reading method daily or once a week)!<\/p>\n

Scripture Reading: Luke Ch. 6 (ESV)<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Meditation<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Take a moment to quietly reflect on today’s Scriptures. Through such exercises, let God’s Word be gradually written into our hearts and be inscribed to our mind.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Devotional<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Read the devotional articles prepared by CBCLWA (*Read the Bible first before reading any devotional materials.<\/strong>)<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

(vv. 1-11) As the saying goes, “<\/span>It takes all sorts to make a world\u00a0<\/span>“<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>For\u00a0<\/span>those who were o<\/span>bserv<\/span>ing<\/span>\u00a0the same Sabbath Day, their individual response<\/span>s<\/span>\u00a0to the same matter may still be different.\u00a0<\/span>The disciples followed Jesus, got some food on the Sabbath, filled their stomachs<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0and continued on the road<\/span>. A man was there whose hand was shriveled. Jesus s<\/span>aid to\u00a0<\/span>this man<\/span>,<\/span><\/b>\u00a0\u201cCome and stand here.\u201d<\/span><\/b>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>\u201cStretch out your hand.\u201d<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/b>This<\/span>\u00a0man\u00a0<\/span>did so and\u00a0<\/span>rose\u00a0<\/span>up\u00a0<\/span>and stood there<\/span>. As soon as he\u00a0<\/span>stretched out his<\/span>\u00a0shriveled<\/span>\u00a0hand<\/span>, h<\/span>is hand was restored.\u00a0<\/span>On the contrary, some\u00a0<\/span>scribes\u00a0<\/span>and Pharisees<\/span>\u00a0chose to pick on the disciples who followed Jesus, instead of\u00a0<\/span>seeking peace on that day.<\/span>\u00a0Since when did Sabbath Day become a day of spying<\/span>?\u00a0<\/span>Sabbath<\/span>\u00a0Day<\/span>\u00a0should be the<\/span>\u00a0Holy<\/span>\u00a0day<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0to be set aside<\/span>\u00a0for God. How did the Sabbath Day become a day for murdering Jesus?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Sabbath was God\u2019s blessing by allowing people to come before him\u00a0<\/span>and<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>find rest in him.\u00a0<\/span>Ask yourself<\/span>\u00a0these: do I feel rested and at peace on\u00a0<\/span>Sunday<\/span>s<\/span>?\u00a0<\/span>What\u00a0<\/span>kind of things have I\u00a0<\/span>value<\/span>d<\/span>\u00a0more? Do I listen to the word of Jesus? Or have I ever been spying on something unconsciously? Weekend is approaching.\u00a0<\/span>For this coming Sunday, l<\/span>et us be prepared for worshipping Jesus, the Lord of the Sabbath, and find true peace in Him by\u00a0<\/span>obeying God’s teachings!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

(vv. 1<\/span>2-16<\/span>)<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>I<\/span>n the Gospel of Luke<\/span>, \u201cprayer\u201d was<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>emphasized<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>As described in Luke Chapter 3, Jesus\u00a0<\/span>had been baptized and<\/span>\u00a0when he<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u201cwas praying, the heavens were opened\u201d<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span>(<\/span>Luke.<\/span>3:21)<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>In today\u2019s scripture reading,\u00a0<\/span>Jesus<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>had\u00a0<\/span>prayed through the night\u00a0<\/span>before he\u00a0<\/span>chose<\/span>\u00a0the twelve people and called them apostles.\u00a0<\/span>“Apostle”\u00a0<\/span>refers to a person who is sent to\u00a0<\/span>carry out a special mission. In addition to the Twelve Apostles referred to in the New Testament, Paul was called the Apostle of the Gentiles (Ro<\/span>mans<\/span>\u00a011:13) because of God’s special call<\/span>ing for him<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Jesus is\u00a0<\/span>interceding for us\u00a0<\/span>and he hasn\u2019t stopped doing\u00a0<\/span>it<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>(Ro<\/span>mans<\/span>\u00a08:34)<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>As of today, we have been called and saved by the Lord. As we serve the Lord in various kinds of ministry, are we faithful\u00a0<\/span>to the Lord and\u00a0<\/span>do we value\u00a0<\/span>the duties that the Lord has given<\/span>\u00a0to<\/span>\u00a0us?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

(vv. 1<\/span>7-19<\/span>)<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>From the beginning of verse 17 to the end of this chapter, the entire\u00a0<\/span>passage\u00a0<\/span>can be called “<\/span>t<\/span>he\u00a0<\/span>sermon on the ground<\/span>“<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>because it speaks of what Jesus and his disciples said down the hill and on the ground. In contrast to\u00a0<\/span>the Gospel of\u00a0<\/span>Matthew<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>chapters 5 to 7<\/span>, this<\/span>\u00a0passage in the Gospel of Luke<\/span>\u00a0is like a short version of the “<\/span>The Sermon on the Mount<\/span>“<\/span>\u00a0\u2013 mainly\u00a0<\/span>a collection of short lessons of Jesus.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

(vv. 20-26)<\/span>\u00a0In this passage, Luke\u00a0<\/span>illustrated\u00a0<\/span>the\u00a0<\/span>contrast between four blessings and four\u00a0<\/span>woe<\/span>s<\/span>. W<\/span>hether it\u2019s\u00a0<\/span>i<\/span>n\u00a0<\/span>poverty, hunger, crying, being hated<\/span>, would I\u00a0<\/span>have felt\u00a0<\/span>rich<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>spiritually, feel<\/span>\u00a0satisfied, laughing, and rejoicing\u00a0<\/span>with<\/span>\u00a0God?\u00a0<\/span>If so, we\u00a0<\/span>would\u00a0<\/span>understand our value in God’s eyes<\/span>\u00a0very well<\/span>. We<\/span>\u00a0will\u00a0<\/span>not\u00a0<\/span>easily\u00a0<\/span>become big-headed\u00a0<\/span>by\u00a0<\/span>compliments\u00a0<\/span>from<\/span>\u00a0others\u00a0<\/span>nor\u00a0<\/span>to\u00a0<\/span>be deeply hurt by\u00a0<\/span>random\u00a0<\/span>words\u00a0<\/span>of other<\/span>s.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

(vv. 27-42) Th<\/span>is passage\u00a0<\/span>allows<\/span>\u00a0us to\u00a0<\/span>think more\u00a0<\/span>about\u00a0<\/span>the way for personal relationships<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>This passage was not only for the people in the past, but is also a good reminder for us. As we contemplate on this passage, we can identify\u00a0<\/span>many<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>things or ideas\u00a0<\/span>that need to be\u00a0<\/span>overturned and changed\u00a0<\/span>by Jesus.\u00a0<\/span>Generally speaking<\/span>,\u00a0<\/span>Jesus\u00a0<\/span>cares\u00a0<\/span>about the attitude of our heart\u00a0<\/span>towards people<\/span>. Can we\u00a0<\/span>treat all people with love?\u00a0<\/span>Oftentimes,\u00a0<\/span>we\u00a0<\/span>would\u00a0<\/span>show our love to those who love us and have good intentions to us.\u00a0<\/span>What about those who are opposed to us, our enemy, and those who\u00a0<\/span>have\u00a0<\/span>cursed us or persecuted us?\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Jesus<\/span>\u2019 teaching is\u00a0<\/span>that\u00a0<\/span>while facing our e<\/span>nemies<\/span>\u00a0who\u00a0<\/span>either\u00a0<\/span>hate us or are\u00a0<\/span>unkind\u00a0<\/span>to us, we\u00a0<\/span>are\u00a0<\/span>not meant to tolerate their bully or violence. Not at all<\/span>! Jesus said,\u00a0<\/span>“<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span>Love\u00a0<\/span><\/b>your enemies,\u00a0<\/span><\/b>do good<\/span><\/b>\u00a0to those who hate you,\u00a0<\/span><\/b>bless<\/span><\/b>\u00a0those who curse you,\u00a0<\/span><\/b>pray<\/span><\/b>\u00a0for those who abuse you<\/span><\/b>\u201d (v.27-28<\/span>) We<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>are to t<\/span>ake a positive, proactive approach, not with violence<\/span>\u00a0but\u00a0<\/span>overcome evil with good.\u00a0<\/span>(Ro<\/span>mans<\/span>\u00a012:21). Those who listen to Jesus’ teachings are by no means\u00a0<\/span>the\u00a0<\/span>“<\/span>oppressed<\/span>“, but active “givers”<\/span>. It would not be easy to follow God\u2019s commands, but his commands are pretty clear.\u00a0<\/span>First,\u00a0<\/span>“<\/span><\/b>as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them<\/span><\/b>\u00a0(<\/span><\/b>v.\u00a0<\/span><\/b>31)<\/span><\/b>\u201d And<\/span><\/b>\u00a0then try the next level,\u00a0<\/span>“<\/span><\/b>Be\u00a0<\/span><\/b>merciful,<\/span><\/b>\u00a0even as your Father is\u00a0<\/span><\/b>merciful\u00a0<\/span><\/b>(<\/span>v.\u00a0<\/span>36).”<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Dear brothers and sisters, if you have an unlovable person around you, someone you really\u00a0<\/span>don\u2019t<\/span>\u00a0love, ask God to help you, guide you, and<\/span>\u00a0know God\u2019s will.\u00a0<\/span>Let us\u00a0<\/span>start to\u00a0<\/span>change our\u00a0<\/span>attitude<\/span>\u00a0toward others according to God\u2019s will. Do not act based on how you are treated by others.<\/span>\u00a0God will help us!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

(43-49) Are we eager to bear good fruit for the Lord? Do we want people to recognize us as disciples of Jesus? The key is whether we are willing to\u00a0<\/span>obey t<\/span>he Lord’s\u00a0<\/span>commands<\/span>. If we have been unwilling to\u00a0<\/span>follow the Lord\u2019s commands,\u00a0<\/span>we will never experience\u00a0<\/span>the might<\/span>y<\/span>\u00a0power of His word and<\/span>\u00a0His way in<\/span>\u00a0us.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>L<\/span>et us<\/span>\u00a0apply what was discussed today\u00a0<\/span>on our personal relationships\u00a0<\/span>to\u00a0<\/span>experience\u00a0<\/span>the power of God<\/span>!\u00a0<\/span>For such\u00a0<\/span>people<\/span>, Jesus said\u00a0<\/span>they are like a man who\u00a0<\/span>“<\/span><\/b>laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built.\u201d<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/b>(<\/span>v.<\/span>48)<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Pray<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Give thanks to God for His enabling us to read the Scriptures and for our response for living out the Word of God today! (e.g., You may start with a simple prayer like this: \u201cDear Lord, what\/where are you going to lead me to today?”)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":2111,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[73,71],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2264","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-abiding-in-the-lord","category-pastor-mickey-hsiao"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cbcwla.org\/home\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2264","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cbcwla.org\/home\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cbcwla.org\/home\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cbcwla.org\/home\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/14"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cbcwla.org\/home\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2264"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/cbcwla.org\/home\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2264\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2265,"href":"https:\/\/cbcwla.org\/home\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2264\/revisions\/2265"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cbcwla.org\/home\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2111"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cbcwla.org\/home\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2264"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cbcwla.org\/home\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2264"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cbcwla.org\/home\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2264"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}