The Last Shall be First

Luke Chapter 14

8 When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him;
9 And he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room.
10 But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee.
11 For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.



Observation

Jesus, in a nutshell, is telling us to remain humble. Do we walk into a gathering expecting royal treatment? Do we feel priveleged and demand only the best? If we are called to step up in posititon then we should do so with humility.

There is such a contrast between the 'privelaged' and unprivelaged' in chapter 14. The Lord told us to not call the rich to feast but to call the poor, lame, blind and maimed. Wow.

Application

Do I feel superior because of my so called 'position'? I don't want to feel that I deserve to be treated a certain way because my husband is the pastor. If I become self righteous in my work for you then I am a hippocrite and a Pharisee. He that is greatest in the kingdom should be the least.

Lord help me be a humble vessel before you. I don't want riches nor do I want position. Let me live humbly before you and check my heart if I be lifted up in pride.

Taking Up Space

Scripture Luke 8

He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none.

⁷Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?

⁸And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it:

⁹And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.

Observation

The fig tree is an object lesson compared to the life of a believer. The tree had no fruit and it is compared to a man who has no fruit in his life for the Lord.

Application

Am I a tree without fruit? Do I simply take up space within the body of Christ? Am I indifferent and not bearing fruit?

Lord, my devotions lately have been half hearted. It seems as if nothing is standing out to me in your word and I am going through the motions. Please renew my heart and spirit and give me a new thirst for your word. I don't want to be a tree without any fruit. I want my life to be spiritually healthy, one that is growing and that has much fruit on it.

Looking Back with my hand to the plough

Scripture
Luke 9:62
And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

Observation
Christianity is compared to plowing a field which is very labor intensive! It isn't a cake walk! It takes work both spiritually and physically. Once you have put your hand to the plow- and taken part of this work do you look back and long for the things of your past?

Application
Do I long for the things of my past life? Have I allowed desires for earthy things choke the good seed in my heart?

Lord, There are so many thoughts in my head today dealing with this scripture. I think of things that I have 'allowed' in my heart and mind that many in my church would think are compromise but I do not believe they are wrong. It is a great struggle for me. I don't want to please others. I simply want to please you. The struggle is so great especially being a people pleaser. Help me to discern between being a people pleaser and being a God pleaser.

Shouted from the rooftops

Scripture Luke 12:2-3
2For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known.

3 Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.

Observation
God knows and sees all.

Application
Do I have sins that to men's eyes are hidden?

Lord, I want to be a genuine Christian. I don't want to have secret sins and hide behind the cloak of Christianity. Help me to be true first and foremost to you. Purge my heart of deceit and hippocracy.

Sell me your birthright!

Scripture
Genesis 25:31 And Jacob said, (to Esau) Sell me this day thy birthright.

Observation
Jacob manipulated Esau into having him sell his birthright. In the same way the devil would have me to give up my birthright in Christ.

Prayer
Lord, I don't want to give in to the traps of Satan and how he tries ever so gradually to get me to doubt my position in you. I am a child of the King! My home is in heaven. I want to not suffer from spiritual amnesia and forget these truths!

Looking Back

Scripture Luke 9:62
And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

Observation
Christianity is compared to plowing a field. Interesting because plowing is such a labor intensive activity. It definitely isn't a cake walk spiritually, emotionally or physically.

Application
Do I look back on my former life and yearn for ungodly things?

Prayer

Seeds of Life

Scripture
Luke 8:5-15

Observation
God's word is like a seed sewn in the life of people with various types of results.

wayside- They hear the word but the devil takes it away out of their hearts. Their heart was never fully on the Lord.

rock- They hear and recieve with joy but with no depth they believe and in temptation fail because there is no root.

thorn- They are choked with the cares and riches of the world and the pleasures of life. The riches and pleasures are a thorn in their flesh and the seed cannot grow.

good- They are honest and good, hear the word and keep it and bring forth fruit.

Application
Do I allow the devil to steal my faith? Do I have any depth to my faith where I can endure? Do I allow the riches of this world to choke out God's faith in me?

Prayer
Lord help me to prepare my life for you. I want your seed to grow in me and be fruitful in my heart and in my life.