Κύριος Notes

Adoration

Majesty (Here I Am)

Here I am humbled by the love that you give
Forgiven so that I can forgive

Here I stand, knowing that I'm your desire

Sanctified by glory and fire
Now I've found the greatest love of all is mine

Since you laid down your life

The greatest sacrifice

Majesty, Majesty

Your grace has found me just as I am

Empty handed, but alive in your hands

Majesty, Majesty

Forever I am changed by your love

In the presence of your Majesty

Scripture Reflections Luke 11:45-46

45One of the experts in the law answered him, "Teacher, when you say these things, you insult us also."

I know there are times when I need to hear what I do not want to hear. The words hurt and the message cuts right to the heart, but the cutting is the only way to heal the infection. Were You insulting the scribes and Pharisees? You were telling them the truth.

Help me to hear your truth Lord Jesus not as an insult, but as a complement to my desire to listen to you and obey. You love me enough to tell me the truth even when I don't want to hear it or even when it hurts.

46Jesus replied, "And you experts in the law, woe to you, because you load people down with burdens they can hardly carry, and you yourselves will not lift one finger to help them.

Lord Jesus is it real easy to tell other people what they need to do. How they need to pull the load...how much of a load that they should be able to carry...where it put the load when they are done.

It is much harder to lift the load and to help carry the load until we reach our destination. Preacher, don't just talk...you also need to walk, with a load in your hands.

Jesus you are the example. You told me of sin and through you death offered a means of forgiveness.

Lord Jesus in this day help me to speak truth in love. Help me in the situations that I find myself in to be an example of your grace and goodness.

Κύριος Notes

Adoration

Majesty (Here I Am)

Here I am humbled by your Majesty

Covered by your grace so free

Here I am, knowing I'm a sinful man

Covered by the blood of the Lamb
Now I've found the greatest love of all is mine

Since you laid down your life

The greatest sacrifice

Majesty, Majesty

Your grace has found me just as I am

Empty handed, but alive in your hands

Majesty, Majesty

Forever I am changed by your love

In the presence of your Majesty

Here I am humbled by the love that you give
Forgiven so that I can forgive

Here I stand, knowing that I'm your desire

Sanctified by glory and fire
Now I've found the greatest love of all is mine

Since you laid down your life

The greatest sacrifice

Scripture Reflections Luke 11:42

43"Woe to you Pharisees, because you love the most important seats in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces.

Lord Jesus there are always the questions of motives when it comes to doing your work. Not so much what I do, but why I am doing it. Is it to be noticed? Is it to be known?

The pharisees were concerned about appearances and being seen as a part of the movers and the shakers n their community. My value comes from You Lord Jesus not who I know or what I know but because of unmerited grace poured out on the cross.

44"Woe to you, because you are like unmarked graves, which men walk over without knowing it."

The idea here is that the grave is unclean and unmarked resulting in those who unknowingly walking over it are ceremonially unclean and unable to worship. Instead of being leaders who help people find their way toward God, these men are putting up road blocks hindering people from connecting with God.

Instead of being people who could instruct and lead people toward grace these men were unknowingly and without warning leading people further away from God.

Lord Jesus--Lead and guide. Don't allow me to be a distraction from grace.

Κύριος Notes

Adoration

What A Friend I've Found

What a friend I've found

Closer than a brother

I have felt your touch

More intimate than lovers

Jesus, Jesus

Jesus, friend forever

Scripture Reflections Luke 11:42

42"Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone.

Lord Jesus giving to your kingdom does not make any difference if there isn't a basic commitment to honesty and justice. Giving is important but not as important as justice.

I am thinking that the conversation got very quiet at this point in the dinner party. There may have thoughts in the mind of the host..."my this isn't going well." Lord Jesus remind me that sometimes I don't need to be comfortable...that there is power in dissonance and there is a need you put within me to be real.

It is just like me at times to get the little things right and to just miss the most important things of all. Rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic yet again...It is not always easy to sort out the mountains from the mole hills on planet Earth Lord Jesus.

I have a feeling that there was that still small voice that was shouting within these leaders of the law as they were foreclosing on widows houses...that this just isn't right.

Lord Jesus save me from the mole hills and help me to see the mountains. You are the kind of friend that will not let me lean over mole hills and mutter about the height...you correct me and give me the eyes to see the mountains that need to be climbed.

Do it again today Lord Jesus.

Κύριος Notes

Adoration

Shine on Us

Lord, let your grace, grace from your hand, fall on us.
Lord, let your grace, grace from your hand, fall on us.

That we may be saved, that we may have life,
To find our way in the darkest night, let your grace fall on us.

Scripture Reflections Luke 11:37-41

37When Jesus had finished speaking, a Pharisee invited him to eat with him; so he went in and reclined at the table. 38But the Pharisee, noticing that Jesus did not first wash before the meal, was surprised.

I wonder if you didn't wash on purpose Lord? Invited to dinner...for polite conversation? The more that I walk with you the more that I am aware not every situation of life is a teaching moment in my walk with you.

I invite you Lord Jesus into my day, I will not expect polite conversation of dinner small talk. I need you direct intervention and guidance. Polite small talk with not help me.

39Then the Lord said to him, "Now then, you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. 40You foolish people! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also? 41But give what is inside the dish to the poor, and everything will be clean for you.

There are times when you need to confront my hypocritical behavior Lord. I don't like it. I don't always hear it the first time, or the even the second time, but I desperately need to hear your feed back. Lord Jesus you have permission make the corrections when needed.

Take My Life
How many times have I turned away?
The number is the same as the sand on the shore
But every time you've taken me back
And now I ask you do it once more.
Please take from me my life
When I don't have the strength to give it away to you
Please take from me my life

When I don't have the strength to give it away to you Jesus

Κύριος Notes

Adoration

Shine on Us
Lord, let your light, light of your face, shine on us.
Lord, let your light, light of your face, shine on us.

That we may be saved, that we may have life,
To find our way in the darkest night, let your light shine on us.

Scripture Reflections Luke 11:33-36

Jesus is our light in a dark place
33"No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead he puts it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light.

Lord Jesus light up my heart. Fill in all of the dark empty places with your grace and love. Help me to see the places that need your light...that I would avoid looking at...the dark corners of my soul that only you really know about.

34Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are good, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are bad, your body also is full of darkness.

The eyes of those You were teaching could not see the truth of the message even when the evidence was right in front of them. They saw only what they wanted to see. Lord Jesus help me to be open to all that you would have me to see.

35See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness. 36Therefore, if your whole body is full of light, and no part of it dark, it will be completely lighted, as when the light of a lamp shines on you."

Completely lighted...all of the darkness gone all of the empty places filled. Holy Spirit work in this heart...work in this church...work in this community.

Κύριος Notes

Adoration

The wind of this world

Can push us around

Folding us up

Backing us down

But here in the dark

I’m not alone

So come with your strength

And carry me home

Scripture Reflections: Luke 11:29-32

29As the crowds increased, Jesus said, "This is a wicked generation. It asks for a miraculous sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.

There comes a point when denial of the work of God must be dealt with in a frontal confrontation. Denial becomes rejection of the message when confronted with the truth and there is rejection. Lord Jesus these people saw with their eyes the dead raised and the sick healed, they saw the poor preached to...they saw the signs of spiritual life surrounding them...the demons cast out with a command...and yet they looked for a sign.

These same people could have been blessed and yet were called wicked. The turning point was the fact that they saw but did not understand...they heard but choose not to obey.

Lord Jesus when am I hear the words but not understanding? I would like to think that I am somehow qualitatively different than this people who saw you work and did not understand it...and yet there are ways that I am just as seeing and yet unbelieving.

I am aware of your work in my life, I think I want you to work my way and you kindly and gently insist to be allowed to work in your way and in your time frame. Lord Jesus work as you see fit.


30For as Jonah was a sign to the Ninevites, so also will the Son of Man be to this generation.

The ultimate sign was to come when you came out of the grave. For those who had chosen to hear your message the resurrection was the realization of all their hopes. For those who had rejected it was their worst nightmare realized.

Remind me again and again that the end is never the end when you are in the mix of my life. By the power of your resurrection I can find new life in the middle of situations that appear to be hopeless.

31The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with the men of this generation and condemn them; for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon's wisdom, and now one greater than Solomon is here.

To hear you message and reject it is a fearful thing. Solomon was just a wise man and Sheba travel to hear his wisdom...to hear and to understand. Your message of God's grace is so much more transforming than just wisdom.

32The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now one greater than Jonah is here.

Jonah was a preacher on the run angry and resentful of the fact that God had called him, yet the people repented. Lord Jesus your preaching did not have immediate impact...it cost you your life, and in your death and resurrection the church was born.

In the face of truth of your message I realize that you speak truth into my life each time that I spend time thinking and reflecting on your word at work inside me. If you could use a prophet that was on the run and resentful then you can use me today right where you find me.

Oh great light of the world
Fill up my soul
I’ll never mend here
So come make me whole
Oh great light of the world
Come to im-part
The light of your grace
To fill up my heart

Lord Jesus by your light alive in my heart. Help me to listen to your message today and live it out today.

Κύριος Notes

Adoration

Oh great light of the world

Fill up my soul

I’ll never mend here

So come make me whole

Oh great light of the world

Come to im-part

The light of your grace

To fill up my heart

Scripture Reflections: Luke 11:27-28

Who is really Blessed?

27As Jesus was saying these things, a woman in the crowd called out, "Blessed is the mother who gave you birth and nursed you." 28He replied, "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it."

I like to think of the people of the time of Christ as somehow more blessed to have seen you Lord Jesus while you were on the earth. They saw and heard you preach and teach. I am sure that you were a great speaker and to have heard you voice...

The reality was the people of the crowd did not have the knowledge that I have. They saw things from the street level with no view or understanding of what they were seeing, except some of the discerning few. You summed it up well:

Matthew 11:13-17

13For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. 14And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come. 15He who has ears, let him hear.

We have to have ears that are tuned to your voice. We have to be willing to hear and accept that prophecy fulfilled is seldom in real life like we expect it to be in the imagination of our souls.

Let me hear what you have to say even if it makes my soul grow in the hearing...even if the hearing shatters my little dreams of what I think should be hurts. Lord help me hear the words of life.

16"To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others: 17" 'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance;we sang a dirge and you did not mourn.'

The reality is even if you were aiming at fulfilling my expectations of how you should work...it would just not be possible...I am so changeable and fickle at times...it would be a train wreck. So that is why I need to progress beyond just the milk and get into the meat of what you would have me integrate in my life. Each time I am able to hear the tune you would play in my heart...I grow in the hearing

So back to the question of who is really blessed?

That women in the crowd would have like to have been the Madonna...(the real one that is not the twentieth century version) but the real blessing is to be able to hear your word and to be able to live out some approximation of obeying it. In fact this was a word of prophecy...if I am able to hear your word by the work of the Holy Spirit and I obey with all that is within me, then I will be blessed.

Lord Jesus bless me indeed...give me the grace and endurance to live out your word in this day within the mess of life that I find myself living in. Help me to have ears to hear your truth and the grace to obey it.

Κύριος Notes

Adoration

Holiness, holiness is what I long for

Holiness is what I need

Holiness, holiness is what You want from me

Faithfulness, faithfulness is what I long for

Faithfulness is what I need

Faithfulness, faithfulness is whatYou want from me

So take my heart and form it

Take my mind, transform it

Take my will, conform it

To Yours, to Yours, oh, Lord

Scripture Reflections: Luke 11
21"When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions are safe. 22But when someone stronger attacks and overpowers him, he takes away the armor in which the man trusted and divides up the spoils.

It is a spiritual battle for my soul and to reach the goals that you would have me reach Lord Jesus. Strongholds of the evil one need to fall. It is always by your power Lord Jesus that impact is made for your kingdom. The power for meeting the spiritual battle that surround me is found only in you.

23"He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me, scatters.

There is a basic direction that has to be determined. Either the direction toward You or away from You, Jesus, there is no in between. Decisions have to be made that with impact present kingdom work. I choose each step to move in the direction toward you, Lord.

There is also the implication that if I am not gathering in that I must be scattering.

24"When an evil spirit comes out of a man, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, 'I will return to the house I left.' 25When it arrives, it finds the house swept clean and put in order. 26Then it goes and takes seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that man is worse than the first."

The goal is transformation not reformation. It is not just about getting all cleaned up. It is about change that is real and lasting on a level that does not allow room for evil to have a foothold...a resting place.

There is no other place that it is safe Lord except right beside you and with only room for your direction is my life. Everything else will just enslave at some point...even if I can't see it from where I am. The spiritual prinicple at work is really very simple: empty places will be filled up with something...I choose that those places be filled with you Lord.

In the end that is what holiness is about...you filling in the empty spaces and places in my life with your faith, hope and love.

Lord Jesus lead me to the place where there is no other empty places in my life except where you are already there. Fill in the empty places in my life with your grace...fill my time and use my energy as you see fit.

Κύριος Notes

Adoration

Jesus Lover of My Soul

Jesus, lover of my soul

all consuming fire is in Your gaze

Jesus, I want you to know

I will follow you all my days

for no one else in history is like you

and history itself belongs to you

Alpha and Omega,

You have loved me

and I will share eternity with You

It's all about You, Jesus

and all this is for You

for Your glory and your fame

it's not about me

as if You should do things my way

You alone are God and I surrender to your ways

Scripture Reflections: Luke 11

14Jesus was driving out a demon that was mute. When the demon left, the man who had been mute spoke, and the crowd was amazed. 15But some of them said, "By Beelzebub, the prince of demons, he is driving out demons." 16Others tested him by asking for a sign from heaven.

Lord Jesus it is not easy sometimes to know what is happening when there are changes in the way that I experience your leadership to know for sure that I am being lead by you. These people were seeing for the first time the power of God demonstrated in front of them.

It must have been amazing and scary at the same time...difficult to understand and to sort out in their minds and hearts. They got it right in that there are only really two choices. Either this work is of God or it is not....

How many signs do we need to know that something is of God? How many miracles need to be demonstrated before questions become silly? How many dead people raised does it take until we are convinced of the presence of God at work.

Demon possession...lots of openness in our day to the spirit world...lots of pop culture pictures. Vampires and mediums are all over the television.

In scripture there is always some physical manifestation of the possession. It is clear that not every person who was mute was demon possessed. Lord Jesus don't let me miss the spiritual implications and yet don't allow me to get to the point where demons are behind everything. It is also clear that there was little debate over who was demon possessed.

17Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them: "Any kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and a house divided against itself will fall. 18If Satan is divided against himself, how can his kingdom stand? I say this because you claim that I drive out demons by Beelzebub.

It must have been disconcerting when you told them what they were thinking Lord. You know my thoughts Lord Jesus...be a part of my inner dialogue...in the stream of thoughts and feelings. If you are in my thoughts and feelings there is no worry about discerning the spirits. You will tell me in a way that is just too clear to miss.

19Now if I drive out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your followers drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. 20But if I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come to you.

It's all about You, Jesus

and all this is for You

for Your glory and your fame

it's not about me

as if You should do things my way

You alone are God and I surrender to your ways

Lord Jesus may your kingdom come...don't let me miss your work in my heart and life...don't let me miss your work in Living Springs...move Holy Spirit in power

.

Κύριος Notes

Adoration

I don’t know what to do 
But my eyes are on you 
I don’t know what to do 
But my eyes are on you, My Lord   
 
I lift my eyes toward the heavens  
I tune my ear to your command  
Help me boast in my condition 
You’re the God and I’m the man

^{Scripture Reflections: Luke 11:9-13}

⁹"So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.

Lord Jesus you have said...to ask boldly. I am sure that I am not asking boldly enough...I have asked so small...2 new families here and 4 new families there...Lord Jesus each me to ask boldly...it is not like there is a shortage in your power or grace.

Lord Jesus I remember the Prayer of Jabez...nothing magical in the prayer...but I remember that there has been an increase in you blessing since I have consistently sought it.

Lord Jesus bless this venture of a church called Living Springs...may your angels guard and guide...may your Holy Spirit work without restraint...may we see and sense each week a movement of your grace.

Help me to get better at the asking...asking boldly, for the right reasons...with expectancy in my mind and heart.

^{10For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.}

I am not always sure I get this part right either Lord Jesus...there are times when I ask and then don't pay attention to the answer...there goes that ADHD of the soul kicking into gear again.

Teach me to receive the answer that you are giving...to hear it. The word says that you always answer...that if I am looking there is always an answer, that if I even bother to knock the door is going to open.

I remember the ring the door bell and leave fast game we used to play...as kids. It sounds like I am been doing that with you at times...asking and yet when the answer comes I am gone somewhere else looking for another door bell to ring.

^{11"Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? 12Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"}

Lord Jesus you promised and even underlined the promise that your Holy Spirit would be given and present in our lives when we asked. There is no problem with your desire to give. The problem is we just may never ask expecting to receive or even notice and acknowledge that you have been working.

I don’t know what to do 

But my eyes are on you 

I don’t know what to do 

But my eyes are on you, My Lord   

I lift my eyes toward the heavens  

I tune my ear to your command  

Help me boast in my condition  

You’re the God and I’m the man

Lord Jesus help me to boast that it is all you. Without your continued direction and support 

there is nothing that I can accomplish.  I rest in you and in your grace for this day.

Κύριος Notes

Adoration 

Gideon

I don’t have the power 

I don’t even have a clue 

I don’t know all the answers

 I don’t even know a few 

And if I were really honest 

And the truth were known of me 

It may sound a little funny 

But this is what My prayer would be 

I don’t know what to do 

But my eyes are on you 

I don’t know what to do 

But my eyes are on you, 

My Lord I lift my eyes toward the heavens 

I tune my ear to your command 

Help me boast in my condition 

You’re the God and I’m the man

 Jason Upton 

^{Scripture Reflections: Luke 11:2-8} 

²He said to them, "When you pray, say: 
   " 'Father, 
   hallowed be your name, 
   your kingdom come. 

 

Holy is your name Father.  What will your kingdom be like when it comes?  Things made right... the hurts mended...justice and mercy 

 ³Give us each day our daily bread. 

 

You have given so much...not just bread but blessings without number that continue to bless my life.  Praise you Father for your goodness that surrounds and supports my life.

 ⁴Forgive us our sins, 
      for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. 

 

Forgiveness that you bring Lord Jesus is a gift that you brought through your death on the cross...but it is a gift that makes demands and shapes my behavior in relationships.  Lord Jesus continue to shape my relationships, my reactions and behaviors.

   And lead us not into temptation.' "

Father you know what is around the next corner of life before I get there.  Guard my steps, hedge in the evil that prowls and seeks to destroy all that you would have happen.  Keep me safe and beyond harm.

 ⁵Then he said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend, and he goes to him at midnight and says, 'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, ⁶because a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have nothing to set before him.'

 ⁷"Then the one inside answers, 'Don't bother me. The door is already locked, and my children are with me in bed. I can't get up and give you anything.' ⁸I tell you, though he will not get up and give him the bread because he is his friend, yet because of the man's boldness he will get up and give him as much as he needs.

Lord Jesus you want me to ask with boldness and with confidence...with the understanding that there is enduring relationship that allows a kind of holy boldness in approaching you. 

Where have I missed opportunities and places of grace and blessing because I have not asked with a holy boldness?  Lord Jesus help me to develop an internal sense of when to speak and when not to...when to push the  issue and when to retreat to wait for the movement of your Holy Spirit at another time and interchange.

Lord Jesus in the coming day lead me and guide me in your ways.  Speak to me as you see best, open my mind and my heart to what you have for the coming day.  Help me to keep my eyes on you Lord Jesus...to watch and follow and learn.  You know better than I that I do not know all the answers and have only a few of the questions right.

Κύριος Notes

 Adoration

Savior Please

Savior, please help me stand
I fall so hard, I fade so fast
Will You begin right where I end
And be the God of all I am because You're all I have

I try to be so tough
But I'm just not strong enough
I can't do this alone, God I need You to hold on to me
I try to be good enough
But I'm nothing without Your love
Savior, please keep saving me

^{Scripture Reflections: Luke 11}

 ¹One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples."

 

I never noticed before Jesus that the disciples referenced John and his disciples and his teaching on prayer.

 

I wonder what John the Baptist taught about prayer? 

 

A call to Repentance...coming judgement...and preparing the way for You Lord Jesus...are what I find in the recorded account of his work...except here in this little side reference.  His teaching on prayer must have been something that was an intricate part of his message.

 

What ever the teaching John did on prayer...it was something that impressed and informed the disciples enough that they wanted to know Your thoughts on prayer.  They had watched You separate and take time for prayer...I am sure that they heard You pray...

 

Maybe it was that call to prayer for harvest workers (Luke 10:2) that triggered a desire to know more of Your thoughts on prayer...maybe it was seeing the impact of the 72 sent out to do kingdom work...maybe it was just time for more teaching on prayer.

 

Prayer is the connecting link to all that You have and all that You are leading me to be.   Prayer comes in so many forms...petition...adoration...thanksgiving...a few words under the breath going into a difficult conversation...inviting You to be a part of the steam of thoughts that are a part of my unending inner dialogue...

 

Lord Jesus teach me to pray as you prayed...teach Living Springs to pray and to be a place of prayer.  Teach me to first fight and win the spiritual battles that await...by the same power that raised You from the dead. 

Κύριος Notes

Adoration

Savior Please

Savior, please take my hand
I work so hard, I live so fast
This life begins, and then it ends
And I do the best that I can, but I don't know how long I'll last

I try to be so tough
But I'm just not strong enough
I can't do this alone, God I need You to hold on to me
I try to be good enough
But I'm nothing without Your love
Savior, please keep saving me

Savior, please help me stand
I fall so hard, I fade so fast
Will You begin right where I end
And be the God of all I am because You're all I have

^{Scripture Reflections:Luke 10} 

 ³⁸As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. ³⁹She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said.

When I am listening at your feet Lord Jesus, there will always be calls to other things. There are a thousand things that need to be done...a thousand things that need to be fixed now. What I want to hear is your voice and see your power at work in my life and in the life of the Living Springs Community Church.

 

Hearing your voice Lord Jesus in the middle of the cacophony of voices that surround me is not easy at times.  The reality is that you are not always speaking...Lord Jesus help me listen at those precious times when you are at work and moving in power with your people.

 

You came to town and Mary and Martha had a selected limited window of opportunity to hear your words.

 

Lord Jesus teach me how to make the most out of each and every time that I sense your Spirit moving and working in my heart and in the life of the church.  Help me to follow without hesitation, even when following flies in the face of convention and normal practice.

Mary must have had to hold her anxiety in check and just listen with all her might...I am willing to guess that there must have been pokes in the ribs or maybe uncomfortable glances from her sister before Martha ever said a word.

Help me to listen that way to you Lord Jesus every time you speak.

 

40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!"

I want to be unmovable at your feet hearing every word even if it means that other preparation can not be done. Lord Jesus help me to choose the best.

 

41"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, 42but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."

 Lord Jesus there is hope in this word!   When I choose to listen...and can keep that focus... you stand behind, support and encourage in ways that I may or may not be aware of. 

 

Lord Jesus you know me so well...there are times when I have ADHD of the soul...so easily distracted and can miss the divine in the middle of the mundane so often. Speak your Word and more with power in my soul.

Κύριος Notes

 Adoration

We will break dividing walls  We will break dividing walls   We will break dividing walls  in the name of your Son We will break dividing walls  We will break dividing walls  And we will be one

^{Scripture Reflections:Luke 10} 

  ²⁹But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"

 

I would guess that this man really didn't care who was his neighbor...they were just empty words...it was his response to let himself off the hook.  He wanted to justify himself...not a bad description of my behavior times ...right in front of the Almighty.

Jesus responded with one of the most memorable of the parables.  A response to a cynic. 

 

 ³⁰In reply Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. ³¹A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 

The rule of thumb is anyone in need is our neighbor.  If I identify the need...can see the need then it becomes my call to address the need.  Maybe I can't fix the identified need but we can stop and not just walk by.

This priest saw the need and passed by on the other side.  People of God can not stay the people of God and ignore the need that surrounds them...I can not stay where I need to be with you Lord and ignore the need that surrounds me.  Lord give me eyes to see and a heart that seeks to respond.

³²So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 

^{The situations that people end up in at times are not the result of irresponsibility...sometimes stuff happens.  Robbers attack...the wolf is at the door.}  

^{It is interesting that neither the Jewish 2 men who pass by nor the Samaritan took an inventory of the why and how this man had left Jerusalem, what he did wrong that may have gotten him where he was...the priest and the the Levite both just didn't care.  Amazingly enough the Samaritan didn't care about the why of the story.  He just saw a wounded hurt man who needed help.}

³³But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. ³⁴He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. ³⁵The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.'

Samaritans and Jews had a long standing feud over worship place and style...to mention just a few of the differences.  Lord your point is clear...even the people who I see as much different that am...are neighbors.  Their needs call out to me. If I have your heart within me.

 ³⁶"Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?"

 ³⁷The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him."

Being a neighbor is not about location. Being a neighbor is about choice and allowing ourselves to feel others pain.  It is about responding to a need.  Lord Jesus this man could not even bear to say the word Samaritan...but he could see your point.

      Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."

Lord Jesus in this day...help me to be aware of the walls that divide and that make identification of need more difficult.  Help me to see my neighbors more clearly.

Κύριος Notes

Adoration

There is a place of commanding blessing   Where brethren in unity dwell   A place where anointing oil is flowing   Where we live as one   You have called us to be a body  You have called us as friends  Joined together in the bond of the Spirit Unto the end   Father we join with the prayer of Jesus  As you are so let us be one  Joined together in unity and purpose  All for the love you Son   We will break dividing walls We will break dividing walls We will break dividing walls in the name of your Son We will break dividing walls  We will break dividing walls   And we will be one

^{Scripture Reflections:Luke 10} 

 ²⁵On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?"

 

This teacher of the law must have heard that dead people were alive that had been dead...and yet there was the test.  I am not sure that would be willing to test the person who had given a widow back her dead son..

 

 ²⁶"What is written in the Law?" he replied. "How do you read it?"

 ²⁷He answered: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"

 ²⁸"You have answered correctly," Jesus replied. "Do this and you will live." This was the essense of the law.

 

This is exactly the same answer that You gave Lord Jesus when questioned about the greatest commandment.   It continues to amaze me that I can get the content...the thoughts and the words right and yet miss the heart of the matter. 

 

This teacher of the law knew it all.  Had all the right information and yet he did not have the ability to make the application of the word to the work that surrounded him.

 

Where are the places where knowledge does not connect with reality in my life Lord?  Where are the places where I have the essence of the matter and know the heart of God and yet I am not able to put all the pieces together into a coherent whole. 

 

Lord Jesus where are we stuggling with the same issues in Living Springs?  Where are the places where we know all the right words, but when the Living God is right in front of us we can't see you at work?

 

Lord Jesus help me to move beyond just words to heart knowledge that pushes me to action. Holy Spirit work.  Help me to see beyond words, beyond just thoughts to know in my heart the next step before I even get there.   Give me the eyes to see my community and our church the way that you do.

Κύριος Notes

 Adoration

I am a Friend of God

Who am I that you are mindful of me
That you hear me, when I call
Is it true that you are thinking of me
How you love me, it's amazing (Who am I Lord)

I am a friend of God
I am a friend of God
I am a friend of God
He calls me friend

God Almighty
Lord of Glory
You have called me friend

^{Scripture Reflections:Luke 10} 

²¹At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.

This is one of the places where I know for sure what you were feeling Lord Jesus.  It brought you joy to see the growing insight of your disciples.  People who were not the movers and the shakers...people who were not in power.  There is the ability to see God at work in the simple trust of children. I make it all to complicated sometimes. 

 ²²"All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and no one knows who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him."

This insight of the seventy two was something that was divinely blessed and brought about.  Every time I am able to see with the eyes of faith and to understand your call and your direction it is the intervention of God.

Lord Jesus continue the process of showing yourself to me. Sometimes I am just plain a slow learner. 

It is not something that you are trying to put on the top shelf so only a few can reach it...you reveal yourself to those who allow themselves to trust  you...who realize their dependence on you...who accept the simple gift of grace.

 ²³Then he turned to his disciples and said privately, "Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. ²⁴For I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it."

I am sure that I do not appreciate the blessings of seeing what I see...thank you Lord for where I have seen you work...thank you for lessons learned...for victories won...for hope that reaches beyond the edges of the seen to the unseen...knowing that you are at work even when I do not see it.  You delight in revelation.

Lord Jesus--Help me to see you in this coming day.  Help me to know that you are at work and that you are my friend. Remind me of the victories that have been won. Bless these eyes today.