From Presbyterian Outlook Devotions, Jill Duffield, Editor Luke 12:1-11 1 Meanwhile, when the crowd gathered by the thousands, so that they trampled on one another, he began to speak first to his disciples, “Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees, that is, their hypocrisy. 2 Nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered, and nothing secret that will not become known. 3 Therefore whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be proclaimed from the housetops. 4 “I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after…
Read MoreFrom Presbyterian Outlook Devotions, Jill Duffield, Editor Luke 10:25-37 25 Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he said, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 He said to him, “What is written in the law? What do you read there?” 27 He answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” 28 And he said to him, “You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.”29 But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, “And who…
Read MoreFrom Presbyterian Outlook Devotions, Jill Duffield, Editor Luke 9:21-26 21 He sternly ordered and commanded them not to tell anyone, 22 saying, “The Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.” 23 Then he said to them all, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. 24 For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it. 25 What does it profit them if…
Read MoreApril 3, 2019 Dear Friends, I am encouraged by how much of our effort and volunteer time is being spent outside of the walls of FLPC. Of course, there is a tremendous amount of energy that goes into keeping our internal programs and missions working. But, recently there has been a lot of outward mission also. Let me tell you what I see. First, our youth went to Charlotte a couple of weekends ago and spent the weekend working in a community garden, homeless shelter and otherwise doing good in Charlotte. They participated in a program in Charlotte called CROSS…
Read MoreThe hymn, “O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go,” was written by George Matheson in 1882. It was included in the Scottish Hymnal in 1885. According to Matheson, “I was at that time alone…Something had happened to me, which was known only to myself, and which caused me the most severe mental suffering. The hymn was the fruit of that suffering.” (William J Reynolds) The tune was composed by Albert L. Peace, specifically for Dr. Matheson’s hymn text. The words of each verse are poetic and evoke powerful images. Can you envision a love so great that it will…
Read MoreFrom Presbyterian Outlook Devotions, Jill Duffield, Editor Luke 4:31-32 31 He went down to Capernaum, a city in Galilee, and was teaching them on the sabbath. 32 They were astounded at his teaching, because he spoke with authority. Jesus teaches in synagogues wherever he goes, meeting with those gathered for worship on the sabbath. The folks of Capernaum are astounded at this teaching, as he teaches with authority. What, do you imagine, did he teach? What is Jesus teaching you when you gather week to week? Are you astounded at what he has to say and the way he says it? Teacher, you…
Read MoreFrom Presbyterian Outlook Devotions, Jill Duffield, Editor Luke 4:14-15 14 Then Jesus, filled with the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and a report about him spread through all the surrounding country. 15 He began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by everyone. Jesus teaches throughout Luke’s Gospel. He teaches in formal settings like synagogues. He teaches outdoors to crowds gathered eager to hear his words. He teaches with stories, telling parables that invite listeners to reach their own – often surprising, yet inevitable – conclusion. He teaches by asking questions. He most certainly teaches by example, modeling for his…
Read MoreFrom Presbyterian Outlook Devotions, Jill Duffield, Editor Luke 9:37-43 37 On the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, a great crowd met him. 38 Just then a man from the crowd shouted, “Teacher, I beg you to look at my son; he is my only child. 39 Suddenly a spirit seizes him, and all at once he shrieks. It convulses him until he foams at the mouth; it mauls him and will scarcely leave him. 40 I begged your disciples to cast it out, but they could not.” 41 Jesus answered, “You faithless and perverse generation, how much longer must I be with you and…
Read MoreFrom Presbyterian Outlook Devotions, Jill Duffield, Editor Luke 8:26-37 26 Then they arrived at the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee. 27 As he stepped out on land, a man of the city who had demons met him. For a long time he had worn no clothes, and he did not live in a house but in the tombs. 28 When he saw Jesus, he fell down before him and shouted at the top of his voice, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, do not torment me”— 29 for Jesus had commanded the unclean…
Read MoreFrom Presbyterian Outlook Devotions, Jill Duffield, Editor Luke 7:11-17 11 Soon afterwards he went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went with him. 12 As he approached the gate of the town, a man who had died was being carried out. He was his mother’s only son, and she was a widow; and with her was a large crowd from the town. 13 When the Lord saw her, he had compassion for her and said to her, “Do not weep.” 14 Then he came forward and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, “Young man, I…
Read MoreFrom Presbyterian Outlook Devotions, Jill Duffield, Editor Luke 6:17-19 17 He came down with them and stood on a level place, with a great crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea, Jerusalem, and the coast of Tyre and Sidon. 18 They had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases; and those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured. 19 And all in the crowd were trying to touch him, for power came out from him and healed all of them. Jesus stands on a level place with a multitude from a vast region surrounding…
Read MoreThis hymn text is written by Sir John Bowring (1792-1872), a Unitarian world traveler who could reportedly converse in 100 different languages. The title of this hymn was engraved on his tombstone. In the cross of Christ I glory, towering o’er the wrecks of time; All the light of sacred story gathers round its head sublime. We tend to associate the cross with darkness, but this hymn is full of references to light. The cross, which has outlasted and outshone all civilizations, is the focal point of hope for all generations. As an extensive world traveler, the hymn author would…
Read MoreFrom Presbyterian Outlook Devotional, Jill Duffield, Editor Luke 5:12-13 12 Once, when he was in one of the cities, there was a man covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he bowed with his face to the ground and begged him, “Lord, if you choose, you can make me clean.” 13 Then Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, “I do choose. Be made clean.” Immediately the leprosy left him. The pain of this person comes through the page all these thousands of years later. His disease caused physical pain and it also separated him from community. Pain upon pain. Jesus…
Read MoreFrom Presbyterian Outlook, Jill Duffield Editor Luke 4:38-40 38 After leaving the synagogue he entered Simon’s house. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked him about her. 39 Then he stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. Immediately she got up and began to serve them. 40 As the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various kinds of diseases brought them to him; and he laid his hands on each of them and cured them. “They asked him about her.” This simple sentence represents compassion, connection, communal care. Consider how…
Read MoreFrom Presbyterian Outlook Devotion Luke 22:39-46 39 Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. 40 On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” 41 He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, 42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” 43 An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. 44 And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. 45 When he rose from prayer and went back to the…
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