Luke 18: Humility Receives, What Pride Tries to Earn.

 

Humility receives, what pride tries to earn.

Parable of the pharisee and tax collector
Luke 18 9-14

Jesus contrasts two kinds of prayer and two conditions of the heart. The Pharisee prayed with pride, exalting himself because of his own righteousness and comparing himself with others. He trusted in his works rather than in God's mercy. The tax collector, however, prayed with humility. He recognized his sinfulness and weakness, knowing that he could not save himself. Instead of relying on his own strength, he cast himself upon the grace of God, crying, "God, be merciful to me, a sinner." Through this parable, Jesus teaches that God honors the humble heart that depends on His grace, not the proud heart that trusts in its own righteousness.

There are times we became prideful like pharisees not only in our prayer,but most of the time in our thoughts and in our hearts.

*Lord I obey You,I deserve this...
*I sacrificed a lot, pls answer me now...
*I am Your servant, bless me...
*I am better than them, give this for me...

We may encounter this kind of scenario in our thoughts in our hearts, but the tax collector shows the good example for us :

Before looking at the failures of others, we should examine our own hearts. Like the tax collector, we come to God not boasting of what we have done, but trusting in what God has done for us through His mercy and grace. Humility receives the grace that pride overlooks.

God delights in obedience and faithfulness, but our relationship with Him is not a transaction. We do not earn His love or purchase His blessings through our works.


Reflection:
Am I serving God because I love Him, or am I expecting Him to repay me for my service?

Prideful heart pray...Lord do this for me.
Humble heart pray... Lord, work in me.

*Prayer
Heavenly Father,thank You for the love and grace You show us through Your word.I come before You nothing to boast in me for I always fall short for Your Glory. Reveal my heart everytime I feel that I am better than others.Help me to always live a humble life that always depends on You and by Your grace alone. Help me to always acknowledge that in You I can do nothing.
In Jesus name. Amen

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ELDER SALLY - JCRC RIYADH

Luke 17: “Remember Lot’s Wife.”

 📖 Scripture

Luke 17:32
“Remember Lot’s wife.”

🔎 Observation
📍Remember
Jesus doesn’t say “study” or “consider.” He says “remember.”
Lot’s wife is a warning label, not just history. God wants this story to stay fresh in us.

📍Lot’s wife
She was physically rescued from Sodom, but her heart stayed behind. One look back cost her everything.
Salvation isn’t just leaving a place. It’s leaving the pull of that place.

📍Judgment and Urgency
Luke 17:30-31 “On the day the Son of Man is revealed… whoever tries to keep their life will lose it.”
Looking back is trying to keep a life Jesus already told you to leave.

✝️ Application
📍Stop glancing back
Nostalgia for “Sodom” will turn you to salt. That could be an old habit, old relationship, old identity, old offense.
God rescued you. Don’t look back with longing.

📍Keep your eyes forward
Luke 9:62 “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service.”
Continue to live life forward with Christ.

📌 Remember so you don’t repeat
God gave us Lot’s wife as a memory marker.
When temptation says “just one look,” you say “I remember Lot’s wife.”

📌 Celebrate what’s ahead, not what’s behind
The Father celebrates restoration in Luke 15:32 “It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’
Lot’s wife mourned what she lost. Choose celebration over regret.

Lot’s wife didn’t run back to Sodom. She just looked. Looking back with longing is the first step to walking back. Remember her so you won’t join her.

Forward is the only safe direction with Jesus. ❤️

🙏 Prayer
Almighty Father,
Thank You for Your grace, salvation, and the wisdom of Your Word.

Lord, we pray that You will help us to heed the warning of Luke 17:32 and never look back at the distractions, sins, or mistakes of our past.

Where we need to release regrets, forgive others, or let go of worldly attachments, please give us the strength to do so.

Free us from yesterday, and grant us the courage to keep our eyes locked on Your grace and the path You have set before us. Let our heart be wholly focused and undivided on Your kingdom.

In Jesus name, Amen. 🙏

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PASTORA RIVA - JCRC RIYADH

Luke 15: THE GRACE THAT WELCOMES YOU

 

THE GRACE THAT WELCOMES YOU

Luke 15:20 (NIV)
“While he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion… he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.”

Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV)
“For it is by grace you have been saved… it is the gift of God—not by works…”

There are moments in life when we feel far from God not because we stopped believing, but because we feel unworthy, tired, or ashamed because of sin.We think, “Hindi na ako karapat-dapat lumapit.”So we stay distant. We try to fix ourselves first. We carry guilt quietly in our hearts.

But Luke 15 shows us something beautiful.
The son was still far away still broken… still carrying the smell of failure. Yet the father saw him and ran. He did not wait for explanations. He did not demand change first.
He simply embraced him.

That is God's heart.

We dont have to become “better” before we come to Him. We come to Him because we need Him to make us whole again.

And Ephesians reminds us: grace is not something we earn. It is something we receive.
God's love is not fragile. It does not disappear when we fail. It stays steady, even when we are not.

❤️ HEART CHECK

* Am I hiding from God because of guilt or shame?
* Have I been thinking I need to “fix myself” first before praying again?
* Do I believe God still welcomes me, even in my weakest moments?
* Am I resting in His grace, or still trying to prove I am worthy?

Prayer🙏

Father, there are times we feel far from You because of our mistakes and weaknesses. But today we remember Your heart. You dont push us away you run toward us Help us stop hiding. Help us to stop trying to earn what You freely give. Thank You for loving us even in our brokenness. In Jesus name, Amen. 🙏

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ELDER JOAN - JCRC RIYADH

Luke 14: THE SUPREME CALL OF DISCIPLESHIP

 

SCRIPTURE: Luke 14:26 (NKJV)- THE SUPREME CALL OF DISCIPLESHIP

              “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.”

OBSERVATION

This verse is striking because Jesus uses the word “hate,” which in our modern cultural lens sounds harsh and contradictory to His command to love. But when we bridge the linguistic gap, we see that the Greek word miseō often means “to love less” or “to prefer less.” Jesus is not teaching hostility toward family but emphasizing that devotion to Him must be supreme.

The cultural gap is also significant. In first-century Jewish society, family loyalty was one of the highest values. Honoring parents was central to the Law (Exodus 20:12). So Jesus’ words would have been shocking, deliberately challenging cultural norms to show that discipleship requires radical reordering of priorities.

The historical gap reminds us that discipleship in Jesus’ time often meant leaving home, livelihood, and community. Following Him could bring persecution, rejection, or even death. His audience understood that this was not a metaphor—it was a real cost.

The geographical gap matters too. In Galilee and Judea, disciples risked expulsion from synagogues and hostility from both Roman authorities and Jewish leaders. Jesus’ words carried immediate weight in that setting.

Other scriptures reinforce this radical call:

• “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me.” — Matthew 10:37
• “And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.” — Matthew 10:38
• “For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.” — Matthew 16:25

APPLICATION

Understanding these gaps helps us apply the verse correctly today. Jesus is not asking us to despise our families, but to love Him so supremely that every other love is secondary. In practice, this means:

• Choosing obedience to Christ even when it conflicts with cultural expectations.
• Placing Him above personal ambitions, comfort, or reputation.
• Allowing our devotion to Christ to shape how we love our families—making our love purer and more sacrificial because it flows from Him.

 

As Paul reminds us:

• “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.” — Galatians 2:20
• “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” — Colossians 3:2

True discipleship is costly, but it is the path to eternal life and joy in Christ.

PRAYER

Hallelujah! Father God, thank You for reminding us of the supreme call of discipleship. Help us to love You above all else—above family, possessions, and even our own lives. Teach us to surrender fully, to place You at the center of every decision and relationship. May our devotion to You transform the way we love our families and live in this world. Strengthen us to carry our cross daily, to seek Your kingdom first, and to glorify You in all things.

We especially lift up  Jesus Christ’s Remnant Church (JCRC). May the JCRC family be an example of perseverance and great faith, showing unwavering devotion to You above all else. Empower them to live out radical discipleship, to shine as a light in their community, and to inspire others to follow You wholeheartedly.  This I pray in the name of JESUS, Amen.

-- PASTORA JEANNIE - JCRC SORSOGON

 

Luke 13: BEAR FRUIT

 BEAR FRUIT

Luke 13:6-9, "THE PARABLE OF THE BARREN FIG TREE" The author of the passage is Luke. The book is directly addressed to an individual named Theophilus. By extension, the book was written for early Gentile (non-Jewish) Christian communities to provide an orderly, reliable, and historical account of the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. In this passage, the 'FRUIT' is repeated 3 times. It is a clear message to us that we should bear fruits spiritually. The message is written in parable. Parable is a short story designed to illustrate a moral, spiritual, or religious lesson. Derived from the Greek word 'Parabolē', meaning a COMPARISON. Back to the parable, there are three characters in the story. *The vineyard owner- represents God. He expects the fig tree to serve it's purpose and produce good fruit. *The Barren Fig Tree- represents Israel at the time, and more broadly, any individual who claims to know God but fails to produce spiritual "fruit" of repentance, faith, and good works. *The Caretaker (Gardener)- symbolizes Jesus Christ. He is the merciful intercessor who pleads for more time and works to nurture believers. Now, the parable's background and issues encompass several dimensions: *Geographic and Agricultural Issues: In ancient Israel, fig trees were highly valuable and commonly planted inside vineyards to provide shade for grapes growers and protection from drought. Because grapevines require a great deal of sunlight and soil nutrients, a barren fig tree "using up the ground" (Luke 13:7) was actual economic liability that robbed the surrounding vines of vital resources.

So here, fig trees back then were highly valuable. But if it does not bear fruit for a long time, it will use up the ground and become an economic liability that robbed the surrounding vines of vital resources. That is why, the owner suggested to cut id down because that is what they supposed to do. Same as the Christians, if we are fruitless, we are not valuable. Fruitless Christians are those people who are hypocrites claiming they are believers of Christ but they aren't doing what the Word is telling them to do. Faith without action is dead. And a tree growing for a long without a fruit is useless and deserve to be cut down.

*Political and Historical Context: This parable is deliberately placed immediately after Jesus addresses two local tragedies: Governor Pontius Pilate's brutal massacre of Galilean worshipers in the Temple, and a structural collapse of a tower at Siloam that killed eighteen people. While the public debated whether these tragedies were political or divine punishments for specific sins, Jesus subverted these theories. He connected the tragedies to the parable to warn that without a collective repentance, national disaster and judgement and were imminent. The parable of the Barren Fig Tree recorded by Luke offers advice by warning against spiritual complacency and urging readers to bear the "FRUIT" of repentance. We should produce spiritual fruits, the vineyard owner (God) expects to see figs to represent a life characterized by genuine faith, righteousness, and good deeds. A healthy faith is expected to be visible.

Repent without delay; earlier in the chapter (Luke 13:3, 13:5), Jesus explicitly commands His listeners to "repent or perish". The parable reiterate this urgency, warning readers that God's patience is not indefinite. And lastly, it utilize God's Grace. The gardener asks for one more year to dig around and fertilize the tree. This illustrates God's Grace and mercy, offering readers "second chances" to realign their lives and grow in faith. Because the exact timing of life's end is unpredictable,..

...the advice is to humbly acknowledge your sins and actively yield spiritual growth today rather than later.

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ELDER MC - JCRC SORSOGON

Luke 10: Rejoice Your Name is Written

 

Rejoice Your Name is Written Luke 10:20-21 However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.

At 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 is what you were pleased to do.
Observation:
Jesus was "full of joy", in other versions filled with joy "rejoice in the Spirit' (agalliao=extreme/exuberant joy, leaping with joy) it is recorded only ONCE in the 4 Gospels – extreme joy over people knowing the Father. There’s no greater joy than knowing we’re saved, that our name is written in the Book of Life – more than miracles, signs, and wonders. Our soul is what matters most, where it will go after life.
This is what sets us apart from other beliefs?-Assurance of Salvation in Christ alone, through Him alone.
So ask again: When you die, are you sure you’ll go to heaven with God? If you are still unsure after all of these, what’s the point of striving? What’s the point of serving? We can’t pay for salvation! We serve because we’re saved not to earn it.
Our ultimate joy is that our name is written in heaven. It means we’re one with the Lord and dwell in His heart’s delight. For us to experience this we come to Him like a child – humble for God hides His truth from the proud, reveals it to the humble.
Not just “have” Christ, but KNOW HIM(from the word GINOSKO = intimate/relational knowing, like “Adam knew Eve”). Jesus was joyful over people knowing the Father. Like Mary, sit at His feet to know Him.
And if we ever thought your mess is too much, or we've gone so far'' leave all your doubts, busyness and unbelief- be at His feet, be one with Him... Don't run away, don't ignore Him
What breaks His heart, you staying away.
What makes Him rejoice, you coming home APPLICATION:
Part of Knowing is Obeying Him. Obedience (hupakoe= to hear and respond). So HEAR, RESPOND AND SHARE. Now He reveals His greatest joy-Saving our souls. Nothing saddens Him more than us being lost. Let’s bring joy to His heart by gathering His children. Let’s spread the Gospel!
What breaks His heart also moves His Hands. Because His heart broke at the cross, He could heal ours..
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for revealing Your heart — what breaks Your heart and what fills Your heart with joy. Forgive us for breaking Your heart through our disobedience and for ignoring You. May we live this life bringing You joy and a smile on Your face. Because there is nothing more worth it than seeing You happy, Father. And we pray, Lord, that we may share this Love and Joy of Salvation with people. In Jesus' Name. Amen

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PASTORA CZAR - JCRC SORSOGON

LUKE 8: THE GOD WHO SEES THE OUTCASTS

 

Scripture

Luke 8:1b-3 (ESV) – “He took his twelve disciples with him, 2 along with some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases. Among them were Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons; 3 Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s business manager; Susanna; and many others who were contributing from their own resources to support Jesus and his disciples.”

Luke 8:26-29 (ESV) – “Then they sailed to the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee. 27 When Jesus had stepped out on land, there met him a man from the city who had demons. For a long time, he had worn no clothes, and he had not lived in a house but among the tombs. 28 When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell down before him and said with a loud voice, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, do not torment me.” 29 For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man.

Luke 8:43-48 (ESV) – “A woman in the crowd had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding, and she could find no cure. 44 Coming up behind Jesus, she touched the fringe of his robe. Immediately, the bleeding stopped. 45 “Who touched me?” Jesus asked. Everyone denied it, and Peter said, “Master, this whole crowd is pressing up against you.” 46 But Jesus said, “Someone deliberately touched me, for I felt healing power go out from me.” 47 When the woman realized that she could not stay hidden, she began to tremble and fell to her knees in front of him. The whole crowd heard her explain why she had touched him and that she had been immediately healed. 48 “Daughter,” he said to her, “your faith has made you well. Go in peace.”

Observation

Luke was a Gentile (Greek) Christian and a doctor and the only author of the New Testament that was non-Jewish. He is writing the gospel from a different perspective, especially from the viewpoint of non-Jewish religion where “outsiders” and women were marginalised or looked down upon.

Throughout the gospels Jesus made a point of breaking the human and cultural traditions that were harmful so some people by reaching out to the marginalised groups – the lepers, the tax collectors, demon-possessed, women, and roman soldiers, amongst other. In the events written down in Luke chapter 8 it is no different.

Jesus was a rabbi and took the women (Mary of Magdalene) to travel with him and the disciples. He saw them, He valued them, He delivered them from evil. Out of love and appreciation they followed Jesus, learned from His teachings and took care of Him and the disciples.

The demon possessed man who was naked and lived alone among the tombs did not deter Jesus, in fact we read that Jesus already commanded the evil spirits in the man to go, even before the man saw Jesus. Further down in the passage we read that the man was sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and sane. Not only did Jesus deliver the man, but He also clothed and took him under His wing, allowing the man to sit at His feet.

The woman with the issue of blood was cast out of society, because she was perceived unclean, yet when she touched the garment of Jesus out of desperation, he did not despise her. She was instantly healed and He showed compassion on her and admired her faith in Him. And He blessed her to GO IN PEACE (untroubled, undisturbed).

Application

I also once felt like a marginalised cast-out, but when I truly met Jesus and entered into a relationship with Him, He accepted me, healed my wounds and brokenness. He wants to do the same for each and every one of you.

Jesus will not despise or reject any person who comes to Him. In John 6:37 Jesus said:  ³⁷ All that My Father gives Me will come to Me; and the one who comes to Me I will most certainly not cast out [I will never, never reject anyone who follows Me].

Cling to this promise today and come to the One who deeply loves you and cares for you.

Prayer

Abba Father, Lord Almighty thank you that You care for each one of us deeply, that we matter to you, that our lives matter to you. Help us to surrender fully into your everlasting love and care, so that we might live a life fully surrendered in obedience to Your will. Amen.

 

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PAS HESMA - JCRC SA