But best of all, I pray the fire of God consumes you! Fire, as in "PASSION," ha?
That you would be so amazed and delighted by Him that you would see nothing else but His glory and favor.
C'mon!
(Btw, I envy these guys up there, with a holy envy.. Wonder what it would be like if we sought God like this, on this level?!)
I love Jesus!!!
Psalms 74
1 Why, O God, have you rejected us forever? Why does your anger smolder against the sheep in your care? 2 Remember your congregation. Long ago you made it your own. You bought this tribe to be your possession. This tribe is Mount Zion, where you have made your home. 3 Turn your steps toward these pathetic ruins. The enemy has destroyed everything in the holy temple. 4 Your opponents have roared inside your meeting place. They have set up their own emblems as symbols. 5 Starting from its entrance, they hacked away like a woodcutter in a forest. 6 They smashed all its carved paneling with axes and hatchets. 7 They burned your holy place to the ground. They dishonored the place where you live among us. 8 They said to themselves, "We will crush them." They burned every meeting place of God in the land. 9 We no longer see miraculous signs. There are no prophets anymore. No one knows how long this will last. 10 How long, O God, will the enemy insult us? Will the enemy despise you forever? 11 Why do you hold back your hand, especially your right hand? Take your hands out of your pockets. Destroy your enemies!
12 And yet, from long ago God has been my king, the one who has been victorious throughout the earth. 13 You stirred up the sea with your own strength. You smashed the heads of sea monsters in the water. 14 You crushed the heads of Leviathan and gave them to the creatures of the desert for food. 15 You opened the springs and brooks. You dried up the ever-flowing rivers. 16 The day and the night are yours. You set the moon and the sun in their places. 17 You determined all the boundaries of the earth. You created summer and winter.
18 Remember how the enemy insulted you, O LORD. Remember how an entire nation of godless fools despised your name. 19 Do not hand over the soul of your dove to wild animals. Do not forget the life of your oppressed people forever. 20 Consider your promise because every dark corner of the land is filled with violence. 21 Do not let oppressed people come back in disgrace. Let weak and needy people praise your name. 22 Arise, O God! Fight for your own cause! Remember how godless fools insult you all day long. 23 Do not forget the shouting of your opponents. Do not forget the uproar made by those who attack you.
Psalms 75
1 We give thanks to you, O God; we give thanks. You are present, and your miracles confirm that. 2 When I choose the right time, I will judge fairly. 3 When the earth and everyone who lives on it begin to melt, I will make its foundations as solid as rock. Selah 4 I said to those who brag, "Don't brag," and to wicked people, "Don't raise your weapons. 5 Don't raise your weapons so proudly or speak so defiantly."
6 The [authority] to reward someone does not [come] from the east, from the west, or [even] from the wilderness. 7 God alone is the judge. He punishes one person and rewards another. 8 A cup is in the LORD's hand. (Its foaming wine is thoroughly mixed with spices.) He will empty it, [and] all the wicked people on earth will have to drink every last drop. 9 But I will speak [about your miracles] forever. I will make music to praise the God of Jacob. 10 I will destroy all the weapons of wicked people, but the weapons of righteous people will be raised proudly.
Luke 13
1 At that time some people reported to Jesus about some Galileans whom Pilate had executed while they were sacrificing animals. 2 Jesus replied to them, "Do you think that this happened to them because they were more sinful than other people from Galilee? 3 No! I can guarantee that they weren't. But if you don't turn to God and change the way you think and act, then you, too, will all die. 4 What about those 18 people who died when the tower at Siloam fell on them? Do you think that they were more sinful than other people living in Jerusalem? 5 No! I can guarantee that they weren't. But if you don't turn to God and change the way you think and act, then you, too, will all die."
6 Then Jesus used this illustration: "A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard. He went to look for fruit on the tree but didn't find any. 7 He said to the gardener, 'For the last three years I've come to look for figs on this fig tree but haven't found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up [good] soil?' 8 "The gardener replied, 'Sir, let it stand for one more year. I'll dig around it and fertilize it. 9 Maybe next year it'll have figs. But if not, then cut it down.'"
10 Jesus was teaching in a synagogue on the day of worship. 11 A woman who was possessed by a spirit was there. The spirit had disabled her for 18 years. She was hunched over and couldn't stand up straight. 12 When Jesus saw her, he called her to come to him and said, "Woman, you are free from your disability." 13 He placed his hands on her, and she immediately stood up straight and praised God. 14 The synagogue leader was irritated with Jesus for healing on the day of worship. The leader told the crowd, "There are six days when work can be done. So come on one of those days to be healed. Don't come on the day of worship." 15 The Lord said, "You hypocrites! Don't each of you free your ox or donkey on the day of worship? Don't you then take it out of its stall to give it some water to drink? 16 Now, here is a descendant of Abraham. Satan has kept her in this condition for 18 years. Isn't it right to free her on the day of worship?" 17 As he said this, everyone who opposed him felt ashamed. But the entire crowd was happy about the miraculous things he was doing.
18 Jesus asked, "What is the kingdom of God like? What can I compare it to? 19 It's like a mustard seed that someone planted in a garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds nested in its branches." 20 He asked again, "What can I compare the kingdom of God to? 21 It's like yeast that a woman mixed into a large amount of flour until the yeast worked its way through all the dough." 22 Then Jesus traveled and taught in one city and village after another on his way to Jerusalem.
23 Someone asked him, "Sir, are only a few people going to be saved?" He answered, 24 "Try hard to enter through the narrow door. I can guarantee that many will try to enter, but they won't succeed. 25 After the homeowner gets up and closes the door, [it's too late]. You can stand outside, knock at the door, and say, 'Sir, open the door for us!' But he will answer you, 'I don't know who you are.' 26 Then you will say, 'We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.' 27 But he will tell you, 'I don't know who you are. Get away from me, all you evil people.' 28 Then you will cry and be in extreme pain. That's what you'll do when you see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets. They'll be in the kingdom of God, but you'll be thrown out. 29 People will come from all over the world and will eat in the kingdom of God. 30 Some who are last will be first, and some who are first will be last."
31 At that time some Pharisees told Jesus, "Get out of here, and go somewhere else! Herod wants to kill you." 32 Jesus said to them, "Tell that fox that I will force demons out of people and heal people today and tomorrow. I will finish my work on the third day. 33 But I must be on my way today, tomorrow, and the next day. It's not possible for a prophet to die outside Jerusalem. 34 "Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you kill the prophets and stone to death those sent to you! How often I wanted to gather your children together the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings! But you were not willing! 35 Your house will be abandoned. I can guarantee that you will not see me again until you say, 'Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!'"
Luke 14
1 On a day of worship Jesus went to eat at the home of a prominent Pharisee. The guests were watching Jesus very closely. 2 A man whose body was swollen with fluid was there. 3 Jesus reacted by asking the Pharisees and the experts in Moses' Teachings, "Is it right to heal on the day of worship or not?" 4 But they didn't say a thing. So Jesus took hold of the man, healed him, and sent him away. 5 Jesus asked them, "If your son or your ox falls into a well on a day of worship, wouldn't you pull him out immediately?" 6 They couldn't argue with him about this.
7 Then Jesus noticed how the guests always chose the places of honor. So he used this illustration when he spoke to them: 8 "When someone invites you to a wedding, don't take the place of honor. Maybe someone more important than you was invited. 9 Then your host would say to you, 'Give this person your place.' Embarrassed, you would have to take the place of least honor. 10 So when you're invited, take the place of least honor. Then, when your host comes, he will tell you, 'Friend, move to a more honorable place.' Then all the other guests will see how you are honored. 11 Those who honor themselves will be humbled, but people who humble themselves will be honored." 12 Then he told the man who had invited him, "When you invite people for lunch or dinner, don't invite only your friends, family, other relatives, or rich neighbors. Otherwise, they will return the favor. 13 Instead, when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the handicapped, the lame, and the blind. 14 Then you will be blessed because they don't have any way to pay you back. You will be paid back when those who have God's approval come back to life."
15 One of those eating with him heard this. So he said to Jesus, "The person who will be at the banquet in the kingdom of God is blessed." 16 Jesus said to him, "A man gave a large banquet and invited many people. 17 When it was time for the banquet, he sent his servant to tell those who were invited, 'Come! Everything is ready now.' 18 "Everyone asked to be excused. The first said to him, 'I bought a field, and I need to see it. Please excuse me.' 19 Another said, 'I bought five pairs of oxen, and I'm on my way to see how well they plow. Please excuse me.' 20 Still another said, 'I recently got married, and that's why I can't come.' 21 "The servant went back to report this to his master. Then the master of the house became angry. He told his servant, 'Run to every street and alley in the city! Bring back the poor, the handicapped, the blind, and the lame.' 22 "The servant said, 'Sir, what you've ordered has been done. But there is still room for more people.' 23 "Then the master told his servant, 'Go to the roads and paths! Urge the people to come to my house. I want it to be full. 24 I can guarantee that none of those invited earlier will taste any food at my banquet.'"
25 Large crowds were traveling with Jesus. He turned to them and said, 26 "If people come to me and are not ready to abandon their fathers, mothers, wives, children, brothers, and sisters, as well as their own lives, they cannot be my disciples. 27 So those who do not carry their crosses and follow me cannot be my disciples. 28 "Suppose you want to build a tower. You would first sit down and figure out what it costs. Then you would see if you have enough money to finish it. 29 Otherwise, if you lay a foundation and can't finish the building, everyone who watches will make fun of you. 30 They'll say, 'This person started to build but couldn't finish the job.' 31 "Or suppose a king is going to war against another king. He would first sit down and think things through. Can he and his 10,000 soldiers fight against a king with 20,000 soldiers? 32 If he can't, he'll send ambassadors to ask for terms of peace while the other king is still far away. 33 In the same way, none of you can be my disciples unless you give up everything. 34 "Salt is good. But if salt loses its taste, how will you restore its flavor? 35 It's not any good for the ground or for the manure pile. People throw it away. "Let the person who has ears listen!"
Luke 4
1 Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit as he left the Jordan River. The Spirit led him while he was in the desert, 2 where he was tempted by the devil for 40 days. During those days Jesus ate nothing, so when they were over, he was hungry. 3 The devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become a loaf of bread." 4 Jesus answered him, "Scripture says, 'A person cannot live on bread alone.'" 5 The devil took him to a high place and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in an instant. 6 The devil said to him, "I will give you all the power and glory of these kingdoms. All of it has been given to me, and I give it to anyone I please. 7 So if you will worship me, all this will be yours." 8 Jesus answered him, "Scripture says, 'Worship the Lord your God and serve only him.'" 9 Then the devil took him into Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest part of the temple. He said to Jesus, "If you are the Son of God, jump from here! 10 Scripture says, 'He will put his angels in charge of you to watch over you carefully. 11 They will carry you in their hands so that you never hit your foot against a rock.'" 12 Jesus answered him, "It has been said, 'Never tempt the Lord your God.'" 13 After the devil had finished tempting Jesus in every possible way, the devil left him until another time.
14 Jesus returned to Galilee. The power of the Spirit was with him, and the news about him spread throughout the surrounding country. 15 He taught in the synagogues, and everyone praised him. 16 Then Jesus came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. As usual he went into the synagogue on the day of worship. He stood up to read the lesson. 17 The attendant gave him the book of the prophet Isaiah. He opened it and found the place where it read: 18 "The Spirit of the Lord is with me. He has anointed me to tell the Good News to the poor. He has sent me to announce forgiveness to the prisoners of sin and the restoring of sight to the blind, to forgive those who have been shattered by sin, 19 to announce the year of the Lord's favor." 20 Jesus closed the book, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. Everyone in the synagogue watched him closely. 21 Then he said to them, "This passage came true today when you heard me read it." 22 All the people spoke well of him. They were amazed to hear the gracious words flowing from his lips. They said, "Isn't this Joseph's son?" 23 So he said to them, "You'll probably quote this proverb to me, 'Doctor, cure yourself!' and then say to me, 'Do all the things in your hometown that we've heard you've done in Capernaum.'" 24 Then Jesus added, "I can guarantee this truth: A prophet isn't accepted in his hometown. 25 "I can guarantee this truth: There were many widows in Israel in Elijah's time. It had not rained for three-and-a-half years, and the famine was severe everywhere in the country. 26 But God didn't send Elijah to anyone except a widow at Zarephath in the territory of Sidon. 27 There were also many people with skin diseases in Israel in the prophet Elisha's time. But God cured no one except Naaman from Syria." 28 Everyone in the synagogue became furious when they heard this. 29 Their city was built on a hill with a cliff. So they got up, forced Jesus out of the city, and led him to the cliff. They intended to throw him off of it. 30 But Jesus walked right by them and went away.
31 Jesus went to Capernaum, a city in Galilee, and taught them on a day of worship. 32 The people were amazed at his teachings because he spoke with authority. 33 In the synagogue was a man possessed by a spirit, an evil demon. He shouted very loudly, 34 "Oh, no! What do you want with us, Jesus from Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are--the Holy One of God!" 35 Jesus ordered the spirit, "Keep quiet, and come out of him!" The demon threw the man down in the middle of the synagogue and came out without hurting him. 36 Everyone was stunned. They said to one another, "What kind of command is this? With authority and power he gives orders to evil spirits, and they come out." 37 So news about him spread to every place throughout the surrounding region. 38 Jesus left the synagogue and went to Simon's house. Simon's mother-in-law was sick with a high fever. They asked Jesus to help her. 39 He bent over her, ordered the fever to leave, and it went away. She got up immediately and prepared a meal for them. 40 When the sun was setting, everyone who had friends suffering from various diseases brought them to him. He placed his hands on each of them and cured them. 41 Demons came out of many people, shouting, "You are the Son of God!" But Jesus ordered them not to speak. After all, they knew he was the Messiah. 42 In the morning he went to a place where he could be alone. The crowds searched for him. When they came to him, they tried to keep him from leaving. 43 But he said to them, "I have to tell the Good News about the kingdom of God in other cities also. That's what I was sent to do." 44 So he spread his message in the synagogues of Judea.
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