{"id":2284,"date":"2021-04-25T18:30:20","date_gmt":"2021-04-26T01:30:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cbcwla.org\/home\/en\/?p=2284"},"modified":"2021-04-24T21:36:50","modified_gmt":"2021-04-25T04:36:50","slug":"abiding-in-the-lord-luke-ch-12","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cbcwla.org\/home\/en\/blog\/abiding-in-the-lord-luke-ch-12\/","title":{"rendered":"Abiding in the Lord: Luke Ch. 12"},"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. 12 (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.1-12)<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>T<\/span>h<\/span>e scriptures of this chapter are full of\u00a0<\/span>many of the Lord’s teachings,\u00a0<\/span>counseling<\/span>, and\u00a0<\/span>warnings<\/span>. No<\/span>t<\/span>e that t<\/span>he first passage began with Jesus\u2019\u00a0<\/span>teaching to his\u00a0<\/span>disciples<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0in which Jesus sa<\/span>id:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. A reminder to stop hypocrisy<\/span>:<\/span>\u00a0Jesus<\/span>\u00a0reminded his\u00a0<\/span>disciples\u00a0<\/span>to be on guard against\u00a0<\/span>the\u00a0<\/span>practiced hypocrisy of the\u00a0<\/span>Pharisees.\u00a0<\/span>Being fake and deceitful\u00a0<\/span>are like the cancer to our faith<\/span>. If we\u00a0<\/span>believe we are\u00a0<\/span>good at\u00a0<\/span>disguis<\/span>ing and\u00a0<\/span>think people will\u00a0<\/span>never find out about it<\/span>, we are deceiving ourselves!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. A basis to stop hypocrisy<\/span>:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>E<\/span>verything will eventually be revealed\u00a0<\/span>before God and nothing\u00a0<\/span>will be\u00a0<\/span>hidden!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. A reason to stop hypocrisy:<\/span>\u00a0Why do<\/span>\u00a0we want to disguise ourselves<\/span>?\u00a0<\/span>It is b<\/span>ecause we care more about what people think of us than God thinks of us! Jesus taught us that it is God, not man, that we shoul<\/span>d fear<\/span>. Jesus encouraged us that we are\u00a0<\/span>extremely valuable in God’s eyes and that we really should not\u00a0<\/span>mask ourselves\u00a0<\/span>for the eyes of man!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. A practice to stop hypocrisy<\/span>:<\/span>\u00a0Let the Holy Spirit of\u00a0<\/span>T<\/span>ruth work in our hearts<\/span>\u00a0such that we would not shy away from acknowledging Jesus<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0talking about Jesus in front of people and authoritative officers even if we are opposed.<\/span>\u00a0When there are more\u00a0<\/span>of\u00a0<\/span>such exercises, the “truth” of our faith will be\u00a0<\/span>revealed!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    (vv.1<\/span>3<\/span>–<\/span>21<\/span>)<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>A man approached Jesus and asked Jesus\u2019 help to\u00a0<\/span>divide\u00a0<\/span>the\u00a0<\/span>family\u00a0<\/span>inheritance between\u00a0<\/span>this man\u00a0<\/span>and his brother<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>U<\/span>nexpectedly<\/span>, Jesus\u00a0<\/span>said to him,\u00a0<\/span>\u201cMan, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?\u201d<\/span><\/b>\u00a0 There is a Chinese saying that goes \u201c<\/span>even an honest and upright official will have difficulty resolving a family dispute<\/span>.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    It was not Jesus\u2019 intention to reject this man\u2019s request<\/span>. He actually\u00a0<\/span>made it a learning moment for this man by pointing out\u00a0<\/span>his\u00a0<\/span>wrong mentality<\/span>. Jesus\u00a0<\/span>also\u00a0<\/span>wanted to tell\u00a0<\/span>the\u00a0<\/span>crowd there<\/span>\u00a0that\u00a0<\/span>\u201ca person with a pure heart may resolve a family dispute\u201d<\/span>. Jesus asked\u00a0<\/span>them to\u00a0<\/span>\u201cTake care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one\u2019s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.\u201d<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Not everyone may encounter the need to fight for family\u00a0<\/span>inheritance. I<\/span>f\u00a0<\/span>we\u00a0<\/span>follow the teachings of Jesus<\/span>\u00a0to lay up a\u00a0<\/span>treasure in\u00a0<\/span>the\u00a0<\/span>heaven<\/span>s for the purpose of eternity, we will be rich toward God. By doing so, our view for the wealth and possessions on earth will be different!<\/span>\u00a0We can learn more about this subject from the next passage.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    (vv.<\/span>22<\/span>–<\/span>34<\/span>)<\/span>\u00a0The person in the parable was\u00a0<\/span>anxious to build a<\/span>\u00a0storehouse\u00a0<\/span>for his\u00a0<\/span>harvest.<\/span>\u00a0Jesus said,\u00a0<\/span>“Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them.”<\/span><\/b>\u00a0In addition,\u00a0<\/span>Jesus said to c<\/span>onsider the lilies<\/span>, even\u00a0<\/span>Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these<\/span>, and\u00a0<\/span>to\u00a0<\/span>the grass<\/span>\u00a0of the wild<\/span>, even\u00a0<\/span>though it\u00a0<\/span>may be withered and be\u00a0<\/span>thrown into the oven<\/span>\u00a0tomorrow<\/span>, God so clothes the grass still.\u00a0<\/span>Jes<\/span>u<\/span>s told his disciples to\u00a0<\/span>\u201cDo not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on.\u201d<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    God is in charge of everything and cares about us<\/span>. If\u00a0<\/span>we truly see ourselves as the\u00a0<\/span>citizens of God\u2019s Kingdom<\/span>,\u00a0<\/span>we will set our minds to\u00a0<\/span>the affairs of the Kingdom of Go<\/span>d, and\u00a0<\/span>for\u00a0<\/span>other things\u00a0<\/span>that would have worried us<\/span>, we\u00a0<\/span>can actually be released from them!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    On the other hand, Jesus said to prepare a never-<\/span>worn<\/span>\u00a0purse, what\u00a0<\/span>did his reminder mean to you? How to prepare that?<\/span>\u00a0Ask\u00a0<\/span>yourself<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>this:\u00a0<\/span>What<\/span>\u00a0is on top of\u00a0<\/span>my\u00a0<\/span>mind?\u00a0<\/span>What can I deposit into my\u00a0<\/span>heavenly\u00a0<\/span>account? What\u00a0<\/span>have I stored up?\u00a0<\/span>Or am I just trying to enjoy my life?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    (vv.<\/span>35<\/span>–<\/span>53<\/span>)<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Jesus then shifted his focus from\u00a0<\/span>talking about how to deal with people\u2019s\u00a0<\/span>worries\u00a0<\/span>of\u00a0<\/span>the world to<\/span>\u00a0how to face<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>his\u00a0<\/span>coming again<\/span>,\u00a0<\/span>and he told his disciples to d<\/span>o the following:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      \n
    • Be alert and be prepared:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Wait for their master and open the door for the master immediately as soon as the master returns.\u00a0<\/span>Because\u00a0<\/span>the Son of Man will come at an hour when we do not expect him. Hypothetically, if the Lord were to return tomorrow, would you stay\u00a0<\/span>lazy and procrastinating as you\u00a0<\/span>have been\u00a0<\/span>now?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
    • Be a faithful\u00a0<\/span>and visionary\u00a0<\/span>servant and distribute food on time<\/span>:\u00a0<\/span>Loyalty<\/span>\u00a0is the\u00a0<\/span>fundamental\u00a0<\/span>requirement of serving God, and\u00a0<\/span>having the vision\u00a0<\/span>and ability to divide food on time can be\u00a0<\/span>seen\u00a0<\/span>of the greatest benefit to the Church. Different people will have different needs<\/span>. Do you know\u00a0<\/span>when to say comforting words of encouragement<\/span>\u00a0to people and when to correct or rebuke them?<\/span>\u00a0When should we assist and support<\/span>\u00a0others?\u00a0<\/span>When to give\u00a0<\/span>out\u00a0<\/span>love<\/span>\u00a0and<\/span>\u00a0care and visit?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
    • Prepare to face division:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>When the\u00a0<\/span>Lord<\/span>\u00a0comes back again, that will be\u00a0<\/span>the end of everything<\/span>, the time for judgement for all. Those\u00a0<\/span>who believe in Jesus will live forever, and those who do not believe will be con<\/span>demned<\/span>!\u00a0<\/span>Knowing how serious is this matter<\/span>, we can better understand why Jesus mention<\/span>ed<\/span>\u00a0that\u00a0<\/span>it will not be a peaceful nor comforting time for everyone<\/span>, but\u00a0<\/span>there\u00a0<\/span>will\u00a0<\/span>be\u00a0<\/span>division!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Have we been neglecting J<\/span>esus’\u00a0<\/span>commands such that we<\/span>\u00a0spoiled ourselves living an overly r<\/span>elaxed and comfortable life?<\/span>\u00a0Let\u2019s continue to learn about Jesus\u2019s teaching\u2026\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      (vv.<\/span>54<\/span>–<\/span>59<\/span>)<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Jesus pointed out that people at that time<\/span>,\u00a0<\/span>“<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?<\/span><\/b>\u201d\u00a0<\/span>This could mean that Jesus\u00a0<\/span>was<\/span>\u00a0before them, but\u00a0<\/span>they\u00a0<\/span>refuse<\/span>d<\/span>\u00a0to\u00a0<\/span>acknowledge\u00a0<\/span>or believe in Jesus.<\/span>\u00a0Eventually they would need to face God\u2019s judgement, but they were slow and unwilling to be reconciled. Are we like the hypocrites as Jesus said here? For subjects related to trivial things in our lives, we know how to talk openly<\/span>, elaboratively, and persuasively.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Yet\u00a0<\/span>for Jesus’ teachings, commands,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>are we<\/span>\u00a0procrastinat<\/span>ing and withdrawing?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>What about the second coming of the Lord<\/span>? A<\/span>ren\u2019t you interested?\u00a0\u00a0<\/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-2284","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\/2284","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=2284"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/cbcwla.org\/home\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2284\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2285,"href":"https:\/\/cbcwla.org\/home\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2284\/revisions\/2285"}],"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=2284"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cbcwla.org\/home\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2284"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cbcwla.org\/home\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2284"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}