Luke 7:28 “I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”
Jesus evaluation of greatness differs so much from ours. Doubters and flawed people seem to have great value on the Lord’s eyes.
Titus 2:11-12 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,
The more I say “no” to sin, the more I am learning from God’s grace.
Luke 7:20 When the men came to Jesus, they said, “John the Baptist sent us to you to ask, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?’ ”
Even spiritually mature Christians have their moments of doubt.
Titus 1:15-16 To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted. They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.
There will be people in my life who claim to know God, but their actions speak louder than words.
Luke 7:13 When the Lord saw this mother his heart went out to her and he said, “Don’t cry.”
The Lord empathizes with parents. He understands.
2 Timothy 4:6-8 For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
In the midst of trials, tribulations, catastrophe, and impossible odds, I must look to God’s ultimate goal for my life. Help me to fight the good fight, to complete the race, and to keep the faith; so that, in the end, I can know that I was Your humble servant and followed Your will for my life.
Luke 7:9 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.”
God highly values faith. Increase mine, Lord.
2 Timothy 3:1-5 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.
There are people that we are explicitly told to have nothing to do with. Lord, keep me apart from the people You have asked me to stay away from.
Luke 6:47-48 As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. [They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built.
Floods reveal foundations. May I continue to build mine deep and strong.
2 Timothy 2:23-24 Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.
Lord, help me not to be prideful or argumentative. Give me a gentle spirit, oh Lord.