Luke 4:24-28 - Sent

 "But I tell you the truth, no prophet is accepted in His own hometown. Certainly there were many needy widows in Israel in Elijah's time, when the heavens were closed for three and a half years, and a severe famine devastated the land. Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them. He was sent instead to a foreigner--a widow of Zarephath in the land of Sidon. And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, but the only one healed was Naaman, a Syrian." When they heard this, the people in the synagogue were furious. Luke 4:24-28 (NLT)



My buddy Rich has been trying to tell me this for months. Then Pastor Brown brought this as his text this morning.

All that power we have in Jesus' name, yet we are not always to use it. Sometimes the recipient is not willing to receive...

... and how sad that is!

but He passed right through the crowd and went on His way.  Luke 4:30 (NLT)


I have experienced this too! I didn't even realize it, but I walked right through the middle of them as I left. That scripture came alive for me that day!

John 3:7 - Jesus and I Agree

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.
John 10:10 (NASB)

So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.
John 8:36 (NLT)

"I tell you the truth, those who listen to My message and believe in God who sent Me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life.
John 5:24 (NLT)

Simon Peter replied, "Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life.
John 6:68 (NLT)

Does not My word burn like fire?" says the LORD. "Is it not like a mighty hammer that smashes a rock to pieces?
Jeremiah 23:29 (NLT)

It's not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What's important is that God makes the seed grow.
1 Corinthians 3:7 (NLT)

For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before His eyes, and He is the One to whom we are accountable.
Hebrews 4:12-13 (NLT)

Of course, I have no need of human witnesses, but I say these things so you might be saved.
John 5:34 (NLT)

Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God."
John 3:3 (NLT)

So don't be surprised when I say, 'You must be born again.' 
John 3:7 (NLT)

Deuteronomy 28:1-8 - Blessing Deluge

Aren't we strange and complicated creatures?

God sends us a blessing, and instead of being joyful and giving thanks, we act like we're afraid of it!

"And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth: And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God. Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field. Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep. Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store. Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out. The LORD shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways. The LORD shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses, and in all that thou settest thine hand unto; and he shall bless thee in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee." Deuteronomy 28:1-8 (KJV)

God wants us to be obedient. 

God will bless us.

It is actually quite simple, don't you think?

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