Month: September 2026

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ALL THE KINGDOMS OF THE WORLD / MATTHEW 4:8

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Matthew 4:8

 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;

The third temptation of Jesus in the wilderness—where Satan offers him “all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor”—stands as a powerful warning against the ultimate snare: trading our souls for earthly power, shortcutting God’s timing, and worshiping the wrong king.

The Devil’s Offer: All the Kingdoms of the World

In Matthew 4:8-10, the spiritual warfare in the Judean desert reaches a fever pitch. The devil takes Jesus to a very high mountain and flashes a spectacular, blinding vision before Him: every empire, every throne, every ounce of wealth, and all the staggering glory of human civilization.

The condition for ownership? A single act of compromise: “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”

For Jesus, this wasn’t just a test of pride; it was a temptation of shortcutting. Jesus knew He was destined to inherit all authority in heaven and on earth (Matthew 28:18). But the path to that inheritance required the agony of the cross, the weight of human sin, and perfect submission to the Father’s timing. Satan was offering a pain-free, immediate throne.

The Illusion of Cosmic Ownership

Satan is called “the prince of this world” (John 12:31), and here he acts as a cosmic squatter, offering possessions that aren’t truly his to give. He mimics the true King, promising that global domination can belong to Jesus right now, bypassing Calvary.

We face the very same mountain today. The “kingdoms” offered to us might not be literal empires, but they are just as alluring:

  • The Kingdom of Success: Advancing your career by stepping on others or compromising your integrity.
  • The Kingdom of Approval: Gaining the applause of the culture by silencing your convictions.
  • The Kingdom of Comfort: Choosing a life of ease over the costly, sacrificial call of discipleship.

Every time we are tempted to use worldly means to achieve seemingly good ends, we are standing on that high mountain, listening to the same ancient whisper.

The Weapon of True Worship

Jesus does not debate the devil, nor does He marvel at the glittering kingdoms. He cuts through the illusion instantly with the sword of the Spirit:

“Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” (Matthew 4:10)

Jesus aligns His heart immediately with Deuteronomy 6:13. He reminds us that worship and service cannot be separated. Whoever or whatever holds your worship will ultimately receive your service. By refusing to bow, Jesus chose the path of suffering that led to true, eternal victory—proving that the smallest fraction of God’s presence is worth infinitely more than the collective splendor of the entire globe.

When the world offers you a shortcut to glory, remember Matthew 4:8. The kingdoms of this world are passing away, but the kingdom of our God will endure forever. Keep your eyes on the true King, refuse to bow to counterfeit thrones, and find your satisfaction in Him alone.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Lord of heaven and earth, You alone are worthy of all glory, honor, and praise. Forgive me for the times my heart has strayed toward the glittering illusions of this world. Cleanse me of the desire for shortcuts, self-glory, and the frantic pursuit of earthly kingdoms that are destined to fade.

When I stand on the mountaintop of temptation and the enemy whispers promises of power, comfort, or applause, grant me the discernment to see through the deception. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit so that I may wield Your Word with authority and confidence. Give me the strength to say, “Away from me, Satan,” and the grace to keep my knees bowed to You alone.

I declare today that You are my King, my inheritance, and my shield. May my life be an offering of true worship and undivided service to Your eternal kingdom.

In the mighty and victorious name of Jesus Christ, I pray, Amen.

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Bible Study Tools I Use

  • NIV Bible
  • King James Bible
  • www. biblegateway.com
  • www.biblestudytools.com
  • Map Pencils
  • College Ruled Spiral Notebook
  • Ballpoint Pens
  • Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

  1. IT IS WRITTEN / MATTHEW 4:6-7
  2. FASTING FORTY DAYS / MATTHEW 4:2
  3. JESUS … TEMPTED / MATTHEW 4:1-11
  4. THE TRINITY IN EXAMPLE / MATTHEW 3:17
  5. SPIRIT … ON HIM / MATTHEW 3:16
  6. JESUS … BAPTIZED / MATTHEW 3:13
  7. WILL BAPTIZE YOU WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT / MATTHEW 3:11
  8. FRUIT IN KEEPING WITH REPENTANCE / MATTHEW 3:8
  9. PHARISEES AND SADDUCEES / MATTHEW 3:7
  10. KINGDOM OF HEAVEN – REPENT / MATTHEW 3:2
  11. WARNED IN A DREAM / MATTHEW 2:22-23
  12. KILL ALL THE BOYS / MATTHEW 2:16
  13. ESCAPE TO EGYPT / MATTHEW 2:13
  14. CHIEF PRIESTS AND TEACHERS OF THE LAW / MATTHEW 2:4
  15. HEROD – MAGI / MATTHEW 2:1-2
  16. NO UNION WITH HER UNTIL / MATTHEW 1:25
  17. VIRGIN … GIVE BIRTH TO A SON / MATTHEW 1:23
  18. JESUS / MATTHEW 1:21
  19. MARY … JESUS / MATTHEW 1:16
  20. CHRIST – SON OF DAVID /MATTHEW 1:1
  21. GENEALOGY OF JESUS CHRIST / MATTHEW 1:1-16
  22. CREWS N AWAY: ANCHORED IN GRACE

Thanks for stopping by the blog today! I love having you here. If this post resonated with you, please drop a comment below and share your thoughts. See you in the next post!

Blessings, Margarita & Stace

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IT IS WRITTEN / MATTHEW 4:6-7

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Matthew 4:6-7

And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. 7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.

The Weaponized Word: Standing on What is Truly Written

In the depths of the wilderness, a fierce battle of words took place between Jesus and the tempter. In Matthew 4:6-7, we witness one of the enemy’s most dangerous tactics: weaponizing the very words of God to lead us astray. Satan tells Jesus, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down. For it is written: ‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’” Jesus immediately counters with the ultimate defense: “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

The Power of Gegraptai

When Jesus responds to temptation throughout this battle, He relies on a foundational truth captured in the Greek verb gegraptai—translated as “it is written.” In the Greek language, this verb is in the perfect tense. This specific tense is incredibly profound because it reflects an action that is both a completed past event and a continuing, permanent state.

When we read gegraptai, the full force of the statement is: “It has been written, and it still stands written.”

This linguistic detail reveals that God’s commands are not temporary suggestions. They carry an ongoing, unchanging authority. What God spoke thousands of years ago remains completely active, binding, and true for our lives today.

When Truth is Twisted

What makes this specific temptation in Matthew 4 so alarming is that Satan actually quotes Scripture. He pulls promises out of Psalms 91, attempting to misuse God’s Word to persuade Jesus to sin through presumption and pride.

This is a sobering reminder for modern believers. At times, people who oppose God—or even well-meaning people caught up in deception—will misuse the Bible. They pluck passages out of context to justify choices they know are wrong or unwise. Taken in isolation, certain verses can be twisted to support almost any selfish desire, making it seem as though God allows or even encourages sinful behavior (1 Corinthians 6:12).

The apostle Peter warned us strictly about this reality. He noted that there are ignorant and unstable people who twist the Scriptures to their own destruction (2 Peter 3:16).

Knowing the Full Counsel of God

How do we guard ourselves against the subtle twisting of truth? We must follow the example Jesus set in the wilderness.

Jesus did not let a single, isolated verse determine His actions. Instead, He answered with the full scope of truth, saying, “It is also written.” He balanced the enemy’s distorted application of a promise with the unchanging command of God’s law.

Followers of Christ must know God’s Word thoroughly. We cannot rely on second-hand knowledge or cherry-picked verses that simply satisfy our opinions. To stand firm against temptation, we must study Scripture deeply, understand its context, and compare different parts of God’s Word to see the complete picture of His will. When we anchor ourselves in the totality of Scripture, we gain a discernment that cannot be easily deceived.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for the gift of Your holy, unchanging Word. We praise You that what You have spoken has been written and still stands written today, carrying absolute authority over our lives.

Lord, give us a deep hunger to know Your Scriptures thoroughly. Grant us the discernment and wisdom to recognize when truth is being twisted or taken out of context. Guard our hearts against using Your Word to justify our own selfish desires or opinions. Instead, let Your Holy Spirit guide us into all truth, so that we may use Scripture rightly as an effective shield against temptation. May our lives always honor the full counsel of Your Word.

In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Bible Study Tools I Use

  • NIV Bible
  • King James Bible
  • www. biblegateway.com
  • www.biblestudytools.com
  • Map Pencils
  • College Ruled Spiral Notebook
  • Ballpoint Pens
  • Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

  1. FASTING FORTY DAYS / MATTHEW 4:2
  2. JESUS … TEMPTED / MATTHEW 4:1-11
  3. THE TRINITY IN EXAMPLE / MATTHEW 3:17
  4. SPIRIT … ON HIM / MATTHEW 3:16
  5. JESUS … BAPTIZED / MATTHEW 3:13
  6. WILL BAPTIZE YOU WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT / MATTHEW 3:11
  7. FRUIT IN KEEPING WITH REPENTANCE / MATTHEW 3:8
  8. PHARISEES AND SADDUCEES / MATTHEW 3:7
  9. KINGDOM OF HEAVEN – REPENT / MATTHEW 3:2
  10. WARNED IN A DREAM / MATTHEW 2:22-23
  11. KILL ALL THE BOYS / MATTHEW 2:16
  12. ESCAPE TO EGYPT / MATTHEW 2:13
  13. CHIEF PRIESTS AND TEACHERS OF THE LAW / MATTHEW 2:4
  14. HEROD – MAGI / MATTHEW 2:1-2
  15. NO UNION WITH HER UNTIL / MATTHEW 1:25
  16. VIRGIN … GIVE BIRTH TO A SON / MATTHEW 1:23
  17. JESUS / MATTHEW 1:21
  18. MARY … JESUS / MATTHEW 1:16
  19. CHRIST – SON OF DAVID /MATTHEW 1:1
  20. GENEALOGY OF JESUS CHRIST / MATTHEW 1:1-16
  21. CREWS N AWAY: ANCHORED IN GRACE

Thanks for stopping by the blog today! I love having you here. If this post resonated with you, please drop a comment below and share your thoughts. See you in the next post!

Blessings, Margarita & Stace

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FASTING FORTY DAYS / MATTHEW 4:2

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Matthew 4:2

And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.

Driven by the Spirit: Finding Strength in Our Weakest Moments

We have all experienced moments of intense physical, emotional, or spiritual depletion. In our lowest moments, when our reserves are completely empty, we often feel the most vulnerable to temptation and doubt.

Matthew 4:2 offers a profound look into how Jesus navigated His own moment of ultimate vulnerability: “After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.”

This simple statement bridges the gap between the divine Savior and our shared human experience. It reveals timeless truths about spiritual preparation, human weakness, and the source of true power.

The Reality of the Struggle

Jesus did not breeze through His earthly ministry untouched by human limitation. Fasting for forty days and forty nights meant going entirely without food to focus fully on spiritual matters. While evidence suggests He drank water during this time, His physical body was pushed to its absolute limits.

Hunger is one of the most basic and powerful human drives. By experiencing extreme hunger, Jesus entered directly into the raw reality of human suffering. He did this intentionally. To truly relate to our daily struggles and temptations, He had to feel the weight of physical weakness. He did not cheat the human experience; He endured it.

Preparation Before the Battle

Why did Jesus undergo this intense fast before launching His public ministry? The answer lies in spiritual preparation.

During those forty days, Jesus was not merely waiting around. He was actively engaging in deep prayer and meditation on God’s Word. He was aligning His heart with the Father and strengthening His spirit for the massive work ahead.

The lesson for us is clear. Spiritual battles require spiritual preparation. We cannot face the temptations of life on empty reserves. We must intentionally pull away to feed on Scripture and connect with God through prayer before the storms arrive.

The Power Available to You

When Jesus was at His weakest physically, Satan launched his first temptation, targeting His hunger. Yet, Jesus overcame the enemy.

He did not use a special “divine shortcut” to win this battle. Instead, He relied on the exact same power available to every Spirit-filled Christian today: the Holy Spirit and the truth of Scripture.

When you feel overwhelmed, exhausted, and tempted to give up, remember that the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead lives inside you. You do not have to fight in your own strength.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus, to live a real human life and face the very same struggles that we face today. Thank You, Jesus, for understanding our weaknesses and for showing us how to overcome temptation through the power of Your Word and the Holy Spirit.

Forgive us for the times we try to fight our battles in our own strength. Teach us how to fast, pray, and meditate on Your truth so that we are prepared for the trials of life. When we are at our weakest point, let Your strength be made perfect in us. Fill us afresh with Your Spirit today.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Bible Study Tools I Use

  • NIV Bible
  • King James Bible
  • www. biblegateway.com
  • www.biblestudytools.com
  • Map Pencils
  • College Ruled Spiral Notebook
  • Ballpoint Pens
  • Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

  1. JESUS … TEMPTED / MATTHEW 4:1-11
  2. THE TRINITY IN EXAMPLE / MATTHEW 3:17
  3. SPIRIT … ON HIM / MATTHEW 3:16
  4. JESUS … BAPTIZED / MATTHEW 3:13
  5. WILL BAPTIZE YOU WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT / MATTHEW 3:11
  6. FRUIT IN KEEPING WITH REPENTANCE / MATTHEW 3:8
  7. PHARISEES AND SADDUCEES / MATTHEW 3:7
  8. KINGDOM OF HEAVEN – REPENT / MATTHEW 3:2
  9. WARNED IN A DREAM / MATTHEW 2:22-23
  10. KILL ALL THE BOYS / MATTHEW 2:16
  11. ESCAPE TO EGYPT / MATTHEW 2:13
  12. CHIEF PRIESTS AND TEACHERS OF THE LAW / MATTHEW 2:4
  13. HEROD – MAGI / MATTHEW 2:1-2
  14. NO UNION WITH HER UNTIL / MATTHEW 1:25
  15. VIRGIN … GIVE BIRTH TO A SON / MATTHEW 1:23
  16. JESUS / MATTHEW 1:21
  17. MARY … JESUS / MATTHEW 1:16
  18. CHRIST – SON OF DAVID /MATTHEW 1:1
  19. GENEALOGY OF JESUS CHRIST / MATTHEW 1:1-16
  20. CREWS N AWAY: ANCHORED IN GRACE

Thanks for stopping by the blog today! I love having you here. If this post resonated with you, please drop a comment below and share your thoughts. See you in the next post!

Blessings, Margarita & Stace

Posted on

JESUS … TEMPTED / MATTHEW 4:1-11

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Matthew 4:1-11

Overcoming the Wilderness: How Jesus’ Temptation Equips Us for Spiritual Warfare

We all face moments where the road gets dark and the pressure to compromise feels overwhelming. In those wilderness seasons, the enemy rarely attacks openly. Instead, he whispers subtle suggestions designed to make us doubt God’s goodness, rely on our own strength, and step outside of God’s perfect will.

In Matthew 4:1-11, we get a front-row seat to the ultimate battle of wills. Satan tempted Jesus in a calculated attempt to draw Him away from the path of perfect obedience. Every single shortcut the enemy offered appealed to the human desire to satisfy or lift up self.

Yet, Jesus did not argue, compromise, or rely on His own human willpower. In each temptation, Jesus relied on and submitted Himself to the authority of God’s written Word.

Since every believer faces these same spiritual battles, the wilderness of Judea offers a masterclass in how we can stand firm today.

The Reality of the Battle

First, we must acknowledge that Satan is our greatest enemy. We are not just fighting bad habits or difficult circumstances; we are engaged in an active spiritual warfare with unseen but very real powers of evil (Ephesians 6:12). These powers want to change the course of God’s plans, destroy lives, and make sure that people remain in spiritual darkness (John 10:10; 1 Peter 5:8).

Without the Holy Spirit and the proper use of God’s Word, we simply cannot consistently overcome sin and temptation.

Weaponizing the Word of God

Jesus answered every attack with three powerful words: “It is written.” If the Son of God relied on scripture to defeat the enemy, how much more do we need it?

Here are practical, daily steps to help you learn how to use God’s Word to overcome temptation:

  • Recognize the Power: Realize that through the Word, you have the supernatural power to resist any appeal Satan can make (John 15:3, 7).
  • Meditate Daily: Get the Word of God into your heart by constantly reading and pondering over what it means and how it applies to your specific situations (Deuteronomy 6:6; Psalms 119:47-48).
  • Memorize Scripture: Fill your mind with God’s Word so you are never caught without your armor (James 1:21).
  • Speak the Word: Quote memorized passages to yourself and to God the instant you are tempted, just like Jesus did.
  • Yield to the Spirit: Recognize and respond to the Holy Spirit as He inspires and prompts you to obey God’s Word (Romans 8:12-14).
  • Pray Without Ceasing: Ask continually for God’s help, strength, and understanding (Ephesians 6:18).

A Scripture Toolbox for the Fight

To get you started, here is a quick-reference guide of verses to memorize for specific battles you might be facing today:

The next time you find yourself in a spiritual wilderness, remember that you do not fight for victory—you fight from victory. Put the Word of God in your heart today, and use it to stand firm tomorrow.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for the powerful example of Your Son, Jesus, who showed us how to stand firm against the schemes of the enemy. Lord, we admit that we cannot fight these spiritual battles in our own strength. Forgive us for the times we have relied on our own wisdom or yielded to the desires of self.

We ask that You fill us afresh with Your Holy Spirit. Give us a deep hunger for Your written Word. Help us to read it, meditate on it, and hide it deep within our hearts so that we might not sin against You. When temptation comes, bring Your truth instantly to our minds and give us the courage to speak it out loud.

Deliver us from the traps of worry, fear, pride, and compromise. We choose today to submit to Your authority and trust in Your perfect plans, desires, and purposes for our lives. Thank You for the victory we have in Christ Jesus.

In His holy and mighty name, we pray, Amen.

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Bible Study Tools I Use

  • NIV Bible
  • King James Bible
  • www. biblegateway.com
  • www.biblestudytools.com
  • Map Pencils
  • College Ruled Spiral Notebook
  • Ballpoint Pens
  • Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

  1. THE TRINITY IN EXAMPLE / MATTHEW 3:17
  2. SPIRIT … ON HIM / MATTHEW 3:16
  3. JESUS … BAPTIZED / MATTHEW 3:13
  4. WILL BAPTIZE YOU WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT / MATTHEW 3:11
  5. FRUIT IN KEEPING WITH REPENTANCE / MATTHEW 3:8
  6. PHARISEES AND SADDUCEES / MATTHEW 3:7
  7. KINGDOM OF HEAVEN – REPENT / MATTHEW 3:2
  8. WARNED IN A DREAM / MATTHEW 2:22-23
  9. KILL ALL THE BOYS / MATTHEW 2:16
  10. ESCAPE TO EGYPT / MATTHEW 2:13
  11. CHIEF PRIESTS AND TEACHERS OF THE LAW / MATTHEW 2:4
  12. HEROD – MAGI / MATTHEW 2:1-2
  13. NO UNION WITH HER UNTIL / MATTHEW 1:25
  14. VIRGIN … GIVE BIRTH TO A SON / MATTHEW 1:23
  15. JESUS / MATTHEW 1:21
  16. MARY … JESUS / MATTHEW 1:16
  17. CHRIST – SON OF DAVID /MATTHEW 1:1
  18. GENEALOGY OF JESUS CHRIST / MATTHEW 1:1-16
  19. CREWS N AWAY: ANCHORED IN GRACE

Thanks for stopping by the blog today! I love having you here. If this post resonated with you, please drop a comment below and share your thoughts. See you in the next post!

Blessings, Margarita & Stace

Posted on

‘THE OLD IS BETTER’ / LUKE 5:39

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Luke 5:39

No man also having drunk old wine straightway desireth new: for he saith, The old is better.

Embracing the New Wine: Breaking Free from the Trap of “Good Enough”

How often do we miss out on God’s best because we are comfortable with what is familiar?

In Luke 5:39, Jesus delivers a profound truth wrapped in a simple observation about human nature: “And no one after drinking old wine wants the new, for they say, ‘The old is better.’”

At first glance, it might sound like Jesus is praising the old. But when we look closer at the context and the language used, we find a powerful warning against spiritual stagnation and the danger of religious tradition.

The Illusion of “Suitable”

The word translated as “better” in this passage is the Greek word chrestos. A more literal translation is “suitable” or “good enough.”

Jesus isn’t saying the old wine is superior. He is exposing a flaw in human behavior: once we become comfortable with what we have, we lose our desire for something better.

He uses the metaphor of aged, fermented wine to illustrate how easily we become habituated to our old ways. Just as someone accustomed to a specific taste rejects anything different, many of the religious leaders of Jesus’ day rejected the “new wine” of His message. They had grown comfortable with the traditions, rules, and structures of first-century Judaism. To them, the old way was “good enough,” so they closed their hearts to the Savior standing right in front of them.

Settling for Less Than God’s Best

We must be careful not to misinterpret this verse. Jesus is not validating the idea that man-made religious beliefs and traditions are better than the gospel. In fact, He is saying the exact opposite.

The Pharisees settled for far less than what God desired for them. Because they were content with their external rituals, they couldn’t recognize the truth, power, and freedom of the new covenant.

Literal wine was never the issue. Jesus was describing a deep-seated resistance to change. The Pharisees completely overlooked the true purpose of God’s law—which was always meant to point to and be fulfilled through Christ. They chose to hold onto a message that had been altered and fermented by human tradition, rather than accepting the fresh, life-giving revelation of God.

Pouring Out the Old

The message of forgiveness, grace, and new life through faith in Christ is the only “new wine” that can bring true salvation. It requires us to lay down our self-righteousness, our legalism, and our comfort zones.

Those who truly receive Jesus and His fresh message quickly discover that His grace is infinitely better than any old, sinful way of living or empty religious routine. Let us not be a people who miss out on the miraculous because we are addicted to the familiar. God is doing a new thing; it is time to open our hearts to receive it.

A Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for the fresh, life-giving message of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Forgive us for the times we have allowed comfort, habit, and tradition to make us blind to Your moving. We confess that we sometimes settle for what is “good enough” rather than reaching for the fullness of what You have for us.

Break our addiction to our old, comfortable ways of thinking and living. Pour Your new wine into our hearts today. Give us the courage to let go of man-made mindsets and empty rituals so that we can fully embrace Your grace, Your truth, and Your salvation. We want Your best, Lord.

In Jesus’ holy name, we pray, Amen.

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend resources that genuinely encourage your faith walk.

Bible Study Tools I Use

  • NIV Bible
  • King James Bible
  • www. biblegateway.com
  • www.biblestudytools.com
  • Map Pencils
  • College Ruled Spiral Notebook
  • Ballpoint Pens
  • Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

  1. NEW WINE INTO OLD WINESKINS / LUKE 5:37
  2. IN THOSE DAYS THEY WILL FAST / LUKE 5:35
  3. EAT AND DRINK WITH … ‘SINNERS’ / LUKE 5:30
  4. SON OF MAN / LUKE 5:24
  5. JESUS KNEW WHAT THEY WERE THINKING / LUKE 5:22
  6. CARRYING A PARALYTIC / LUKE 5:18
  7. THE POWER OF THE LORD WAS PRESENT / LUKE 5:17
  8. PRAYERS OF JESUS / LUKE 5:16
  9. YOU WILL CATCH MEN / LUKE 5:9-10
  10. HEALED THEM / LUKE 4:40
  11. AN EVIL SPIRIT / LUKE 4:33-35
  12. HIS MESSAGE HAD AUTHORITY / LUKE 4:32
  13. HE HAS ANOINTED ME / LUKE 4:18-19
  14. THE SPIRIT ON ME / LUKE 4:18
  15. SATAN’S USE OF SCRIPTURE / LUKE 4:10
  16. THE DEVIL / LUKE 4:9
  17. THE KINGDOMS OF THE WORLD / LUKE 4:5
  18. DOES NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE / LUKE 4:4
  19. JESUS FULL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT / LUKE 4:1-2
  20. JESUS’ GENEALOGY / LUKE 3:23
  21. HOLY SPIRIT DESCENDED ON HIM / LUKE 3:22
  22. HE WILL BURN UP THE CHAFF / LUKE 3:17
  23. BAPTIZE YOU WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT / LUKE 3:16
  24. FRUIT IN KEEPING WITH REPENTANCE / LUKE 3:8
  25. CAESAR … PILATE … HEROD / LUKE 3:1-2
  26. JESUS GREW IN WISDOM / LUKE 2:52
  27. I HAD TO BE IN MY FATHER’S HOUSE / LUKE 2:49-51
  28. THE CHILD GREW / LUKE 2:39-40
  29. ANNA … WORHIPED / LUKE 2:36-38
  30. A SWORD WILL PIERCE YOUR OWN SOUL / LUKE 2:33-35
  31. RIGHTEOUS AND DEVOUT – WAITING FOR THE CONSOLATION / LUKE 2:25-32
  32. A PAIR OF DOVES / LUKE 2:24
  33. PRESENT HIM TO THE LORD / LUKE 2:22-23
  34. THEY SPREAD THE WORD / LUKE 2:17-18
  35. A SAVIOR … CHRIST THE LORD / LUKE 2:11
  36. THE NATIONS YOUR INHERITANCE / PSALMS 2:8
  37. A MANGER / LUKE 2:6-7
  38. HOLINESS AND RIGHTEOUSNESS / LUKE 1:68-75
  39. GOD MY SAVIOR / LUKE 1:46-47
  40. AS YOU HAVE SAID / LUKE 1:38
  41. THE HOLY ONE / LUKE 1:34-35
  42. HIS FATHER DAVID / LUKE 1:32-33
  43. YOU WHO ARE HIGHLY FAVORED / LUKE 1:28
  44. PLEDGED TO BE MARRIED / LUKE 1:26-27
  45. SPIRIT AND POWER OF ELIJAH – THE FATHERS OF THEIR CLILDREN / LUKE 1:17
  46. FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT – WINE FERMENTED DRINK / LUKE 1:15
  47. DIVISION OF ABIJAH DESCENDANT OF AARON / LUKE 1:5
  48. THEOPHILUS / LUKE 1:1-4
  49. Crews N Away: Anchored in Grace

Thanks for stopping by the blog today! I love having you here. If this post resonated with you, please drop a comment below and share your thoughts. See you in the next post!

Blessings, Margarita & Stace

Posted on

NEW WINE INTO OLD WINESKINS / LUKE 5:37

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Luke 5:37

And no man putteth new wine into old bottles; else the new wine will burst the bottles, and be spilled, and the bottles shall perish.

Beyond the Bursting Point: Why New Wine Demands New Wineskins

We often fight to keep things exactly as they are. We crave the comfort of the familiar, the predictability of old routines, and the safety of established structures. But in Luke 5:37, Jesus disrupts our love for the status quo with a vivid agricultural reality: “And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the new wine will burst the skins; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined.”

To understand this imagery, we have to look at how wine was stored in the ancient world. New wine is alive. It is actively fermenting, expanding, and releasing gases. When poured into a fresh, pliable leather wineskin, the skin stretches flexibly alongside the fermenting liquid.

However, an old wineskin has already reached its limit. It has stretched as much as it can, dried out, and become brittle. If you pour expanding, fermenting new wine into that rigid container, the pressure becomes unbearable. The result is total loss: the brittle leather cracks, the skin is ruined, and the valuable wine spills out into the dirt.

Jesus wasn’t giving a lesson in ancient bottling techniques; He was exposing the rigidity of our hearts.

The “new wine” is the Gospel of grace, the presence of the Holy Spirit, and the transformative work of God. The “wineskins” are our mindsets, structures, traditions, and habits.

When God wants to do something fresh in your life—whether that is healing an old wound, calling you to a new ministry, or shifting your perspective—He cannot pour that fresh movement into your old ways of thinking. If you try to force God’s expansive future into your rigid past, you will experience frustration, burnout, and brokenness.

New wine requires flexibility. It demands a heart that says, “Lord, I am willing to stretch. I am willing to let go of ‘the way we’ve always done it’ to make room for what You are doing right now.”

Are you holding onto a brittle mindset? Are you letting past hurts, old habits, or rigid expectations keep you from receiving the fresh pouring of the Holy Spirit? Do not fear the stretching process. The discomfort of growth is always better than the emptiness of a ruptured life. Let go of the old skins, and trust the Vine Dresser to expand your capacity for the new joy, new grace, and new purpose He is pouring out today.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for being a God of fresh starts and renewing grace. Lord, I confess that sometimes I cling to my old, comfortable ways, even when they have become dry and brittle. Forgive me for trying to box Your limitless power into my limited understanding.

Today, I surrender my rigid mindsets, my old habits, and my past structures to You. I ask that You soften my heart. Make me flexible, moldable, and ready to expand. Pour the new wine of Your Holy Spirit into my life. Give me the courage to stretch with Your movements, to embrace the changes You are bringing, and to trust Your perfect plan.

May my life be a fitting container for Your glory, ready to hold and share Your love with a thirsty world.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend resources that genuinely encourage your faith walk.

Bible Study Tools I Use

  • NIV Bible
  • King James Bible
  • www. biblegateway.com
  • www.biblestudytools.com
  • Map Pencils
  • College Ruled Spiral Notebook
  • Ballpoint Pens
  • Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

  1. IN THOSE DAYS THEY WILL FAST / LUKE 5:35
  2. EAT AND DRINK WITH … ‘SINNERS’ / LUKE 5:30
  3. SON OF MAN / LUKE 5:24
  4. JESUS KNEW WHAT THEY WERE THINKING / LUKE 5:22
  5. CARRYING A PARALYTIC / LUKE 5:18
  6. THE POWER OF THE LORD WAS PRESENT / LUKE 5:17
  7. PRAYERS OF JESUS / LUKE 5:16
  8. YOU WILL CATCH MEN / LUKE 5:9-10
  9. HEALED THEM / LUKE 4:40
  10. AN EVIL SPIRIT / LUKE 4:33-35
  11. HIS MESSAGE HAD AUTHORITY / LUKE 4:32
  12. HE HAS ANOINTED ME / LUKE 4:18-19
  13. THE SPIRIT ON ME / LUKE 4:18
  14. SATAN’S USE OF SCRIPTURE / LUKE 4:10
  15. THE DEVIL / LUKE 4:9
  16. THE KINGDOMS OF THE WORLD / LUKE 4:5
  17. DOES NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE / LUKE 4:4
  18. JESUS FULL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT / LUKE 4:1-2
  19. JESUS’ GENEALOGY / LUKE 3:23
  20. HOLY SPIRIT DESCENDED ON HIM / LUKE 3:22
  21. HE WILL BURN UP THE CHAFF / LUKE 3:17
  22. BAPTIZE YOU WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT / LUKE 3:16
  23. FRUIT IN KEEPING WITH REPENTANCE / LUKE 3:8
  24. CAESAR … PILATE … HEROD / LUKE 3:1-2
  25. JESUS GREW IN WISDOM / LUKE 2:52
  26. I HAD TO BE IN MY FATHER’S HOUSE / LUKE 2:49-51
  27. THE CHILD GREW / LUKE 2:39-40
  28. ANNA … WORHIPED / LUKE 2:36-38
  29. A SWORD WILL PIERCE YOUR OWN SOUL / LUKE 2:33-35
  30. RIGHTEOUS AND DEVOUT – WAITING FOR THE CONSOLATION / LUKE 2:25-32
  31. A PAIR OF DOVES / LUKE 2:24
  32. PRESENT HIM TO THE LORD / LUKE 2:22-23
  33. THEY SPREAD THE WORD / LUKE 2:17-18
  34. A SAVIOR … CHRIST THE LORD / LUKE 2:11
  35. THE NATIONS YOUR INHERITANCE / PSALMS 2:8
  36. A MANGER / LUKE 2:6-7
  37. HOLINESS AND RIGHTEOUSNESS / LUKE 1:68-75
  38. GOD MY SAVIOR / LUKE 1:46-47
  39. AS YOU HAVE SAID / LUKE 1:38
  40. THE HOLY ONE / LUKE 1:34-35
  41. HIS FATHER DAVID / LUKE 1:32-33
  42. YOU WHO ARE HIGHLY FAVORED / LUKE 1:28
  43. PLEDGED TO BE MARRIED / LUKE 1:26-27
  44. SPIRIT AND POWER OF ELIJAH – THE FATHERS OF THEIR CLILDREN / LUKE 1:17
  45. FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT – WINE FERMENTED DRINK / LUKE 1:15
  46. DIVISION OF ABIJAH DESCENDANT OF AARON / LUKE 1:5
  47. THEOPHILUS / LUKE 1:1-4
  48. Crews N Away: Anchored in Grace

Thanks for stopping by the blog today! I love having you here. If this post resonated with you, please drop a comment below and share your thoughts. See you in the next post!

Blessings, Margarita & Stace

Posted on

IN THOSE DAYS THEY WILL FAST / LUKE 5:35

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Luke 5:35

But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days.

Living in “Those Days”: Reclaiming the Purpose of Fasting

In Luke 5:35, Jesus delivers a profound answer to the religious leaders questioning His ministry: “But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; in those days they will fast.” These words bridge the gap between His earthly ministry and the modern Church era. Today, we find ourselves living in the exact timeframe Jesus foretold.

Christian fasting is not a restrictive, ancient rule or an empty ritual. Instead, it is a purposeful spiritual discipline rooted in a deep, desperate longing for the presence of Christ. When we abstain from physical food, we are actively declaring that our spiritual hunger for God outweighs our earthly appetites.

The Joy of the Presence, the Ache of the Absence

To understand why we fast, we must look at the picture Jesus paints of a wedding feast. While the bridegroom is physically present with the guests, it is a season for celebration, eating, and drinking. The disciples did not need to fast while walking alongside Jesus because their souls were completely satisfied in His tangible presence.

However, Jesus knew a shift was coming. His arrest, crucifixion, and ultimate ascension would leave a temporary physical void. In this current era, we love and serve a Savior whom we cannot physically see. Fasting becomes the physical punctuation mark to our prayers, acting as a tangible exclamation point that says, “This world is not my home, and I am not fully satisfied until I see Your face.”

Fasting as Active Waiting

Many people mistakenly view fasting as a way to manipulate God or earn His favor. Biblical fasting under the New Covenant actually serves an entirely different purpose:

  • Amplifying Spiritual Focus: Saying “no” to our physical stomach allows us to say a deeper “yes” to the Holy Spirit.
  • Expressing Kingdom Longing: Every hunger pang is a reminder to pray, “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done.”
  • Breaking Comfort Addictions: Fasting exposes the earthly comforts we rely on for peace instead of relying on God.

We live in the tension of the “already but not yet.” Christ has already won the victory, but His Kingdom has not yet been fully consummated on earth. Until that final wedding supper of the Lamb, we fast to keep our hearts alert, our spirits sharp, and our oil burning bright.

Closing Prayer

Abba Father,

We acknowledge that we are living in the days Your Son spoke of—waiting and longing for the return of our Bridegroom. Forgive us for the times we have tried to satisfy our eternal souls with temporary, worldly comforts. We ask that You redirect our primary hunger and thirst back toward You and Your righteousness.

As we practice the discipline of fasting, let it never become a performance or an empty religious habit. Instead, let it be an authentic cry of love from our hearts. Use our seasons of self-denial to break the power of distractions, purify our desires, and refine our focus. We declare that we need You more than physical bread. Keep our lamps burning bright as we watch, pray, and eagerly wait for the day we see You face to face.

In the holy and precious name of Jesus, Amen.

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend resources that genuinely encourage your faith walk.

Bible Study Tools I Use

  • NIV Bible
  • King James Bible
  • www. biblegateway.com
  • www.biblestudytools.com
  • Map Pencils
  • College Ruled Spiral Notebook
  • Ballpoint Pens
  • Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

  1. EAT AND DRINK WITH … ‘SINNERS’ / LUKE 5:30
  2. SON OF MAN / LUKE 5:24
  3. JESUS KNEW WHAT THEY WERE THINKING / LUKE 5:22
  4. CARRYING A PARALYTIC / LUKE 5:18
  5. THE POWER OF THE LORD WAS PRESENT / LUKE 5:17
  6. PRAYERS OF JESUS / LUKE 5:16
  7. YOU WILL CATCH MEN / LUKE 5:9-10
  8. HEALED THEM / LUKE 4:40
  9. AN EVIL SPIRIT / LUKE 4:33-35
  10. HIS MESSAGE HAD AUTHORITY / LUKE 4:32
  11. HE HAS ANOINTED ME / LUKE 4:18-19
  12. THE SPIRIT ON ME / LUKE 4:18
  13. SATAN’S USE OF SCRIPTURE / LUKE 4:10
  14. THE DEVIL / LUKE 4:9
  15. THE KINGDOMS OF THE WORLD / LUKE 4:5
  16. DOES NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE / LUKE 4:4
  17. JESUS FULL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT / LUKE 4:1-2
  18. JESUS’ GENEALOGY / LUKE 3:23
  19. HOLY SPIRIT DESCENDED ON HIM / LUKE 3:22
  20. HE WILL BURN UP THE CHAFF / LUKE 3:17
  21. BAPTIZE YOU WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT / LUKE 3:16
  22. FRUIT IN KEEPING WITH REPENTANCE / LUKE 3:8
  23. CAESAR … PILATE … HEROD / LUKE 3:1-2
  24. JESUS GREW IN WISDOM / LUKE 2:52
  25. I HAD TO BE IN MY FATHER’S HOUSE / LUKE 2:49-51
  26. THE CHILD GREW / LUKE 2:39-40
  27. ANNA … WORHIPED / LUKE 2:36-38
  28. A SWORD WILL PIERCE YOUR OWN SOUL / LUKE 2:33-35
  29. RIGHTEOUS AND DEVOUT – WAITING FOR THE CONSOLATION / LUKE 2:25-32
  30. A PAIR OF DOVES / LUKE 2:24
  31. PRESENT HIM TO THE LORD / LUKE 2:22-23
  32. THEY SPREAD THE WORD / LUKE 2:17-18
  33. A SAVIOR … CHRIST THE LORD / LUKE 2:11
  34. THE NATIONS YOUR INHERITANCE / PSALMS 2:8
  35. A MANGER / LUKE 2:6-7
  36. HOLINESS AND RIGHTEOUSNESS / LUKE 1:68-75
  37. GOD MY SAVIOR / LUKE 1:46-47
  38. AS YOU HAVE SAID / LUKE 1:38
  39. THE HOLY ONE / LUKE 1:34-35
  40. HIS FATHER DAVID / LUKE 1:32-33
  41. YOU WHO ARE HIGHLY FAVORED / LUKE 1:28
  42. PLEDGED TO BE MARRIED / LUKE 1:26-27
  43. SPIRIT AND POWER OF ELIJAH – THE FATHERS OF THEIR CLILDREN / LUKE 1:17
  44. FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT – WINE FERMENTED DRINK / LUKE 1:15
  45. DIVISION OF ABIJAH DESCENDANT OF AARON / LUKE 1:5
  46. THEOPHILUS / LUKE 1:1-4
  47. Crews N Away: Anchored in Grace

Thanks for stopping by the blog today! I love having you here. If this post resonated with you, please drop a comment below and share your thoughts. See you in the next post!

Blessings, Margarita & Stace

Posted on

EAT AND DRINK WITH … ‘SINNERS’ / LUKE 5:30

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Luke 5:30

But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners?

Eat and Drink With “Sinners”

We often look at the account of Jesus eating with tax collectors and outcasts in Luke 5:30 and marvel at His radical hospitality. The religious elites of the day, the Pharisees and their scribes, were deeply offended. They complained to Jesus’ disciples, asking, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?”

The Sickness We All Share

Jesus’ response is one of the most profound summaries of His entire earthly ministry: “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance” (Luke 5:31-32).

When Jesus used this medical analogy, He was not validating the Pharisees’ belief that they were spiritually healthy. Instead, He was exposing the ultimate barrier to salvation: self-righteousness.

To receive the healing work of the Savior, a person must first recognize that they are spiritually terminal. The outcasts at Matthew’s feast knew their brokenness. The Pharisees, blinded by their own external morality, could not see their desperate need for the Doctor.

The Danger of Spiritual Blindness

Parallel accounts like Matthew 9:11 remind us that the tragedy of the religious leaders was not that they were without sin, but that they were without an awareness of it. They were just as separated from God as the tax collectors, yet their pride kept them from the remedy.

If we do not admit we are spiritually sick, we will never seek the Physician. True spiritual healing begins at the end of ourselves—when we drop the facade of goodness and admit our deep need for divine grace. Jesus is still pulling up a chair to eat and drink with those who know they need Him. The only question left is whether we will join the table or stand outside complaining.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Forgive us for the times we look at others through the lens of judgment rather than grace. Guard our hearts against the subtle, dangerous trap of self-righteousness. Remind us daily of our own deep spiritual sickness and the overwhelming mercy that healed us.

Give us the humility to admit our ongoing need for You, the Great Physician. Lord, fill us with the same compassionate heart that drove Jesus to pull up a chair with the broken, the hurting, and the outcast. May our lives reflect Your radical grace to a world desperate for healing.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend resources that genuinely encourage your faith walk.

Bible Study Tools I Use

  • NIV Bible
  • King James Bible
  • www. biblegateway.com
  • www.biblestudytools.com
  • Map Pencils
  • College Ruled Spiral Notebook
  • Ballpoint Pens
  • Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

  1. SON OF MAN / LUKE 5:24
  2. JESUS KNEW WHAT THEY WERE THINKING / LUKE 5:22
  3. CARRYING A PARALYTIC / LUKE 5:18
  4. THE POWER OF THE LORD WAS PRESENT / LUKE 5:17
  5. PRAYERS OF JESUS / LUKE 5:16
  6. YOU WILL CATCH MEN / LUKE 5:9-10
  7. HEALED THEM / LUKE 4:40
  8. AN EVIL SPIRIT / LUKE 4:33-35
  9. HIS MESSAGE HAD AUTHORITY / LUKE 4:32
  10. HE HAS ANOINTED ME / LUKE 4:18-19
  11. THE SPIRIT ON ME / LUKE 4:18
  12. SATAN’S USE OF SCRIPTURE / LUKE 4:10
  13. THE DEVIL / LUKE 4:9
  14. THE KINGDOMS OF THE WORLD / LUKE 4:5
  15. DOES NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE / LUKE 4:4
  16. JESUS FULL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT / LUKE 4:1-2
  17. JESUS’ GENEALOGY / LUKE 3:23
  18. HOLY SPIRIT DESCENDED ON HIM / LUKE 3:22
  19. HE WILL BURN UP THE CHAFF / LUKE 3:17
  20. BAPTIZE YOU WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT / LUKE 3:16
  21. FRUIT IN KEEPING WITH REPENTANCE / LUKE 3:8
  22. CAESAR … PILATE … HEROD / LUKE 3:1-2
  23. JESUS GREW IN WISDOM / LUKE 2:52
  24. I HAD TO BE IN MY FATHER’S HOUSE / LUKE 2:49-51
  25. THE CHILD GREW / LUKE 2:39-40
  26. ANNA … WORHIPED / LUKE 2:36-38
  27. A SWORD WILL PIERCE YOUR OWN SOUL / LUKE 2:33-35
  28. RIGHTEOUS AND DEVOUT – WAITING FOR THE CONSOLATION / LUKE 2:25-32
  29. A PAIR OF DOVES / LUKE 2:24
  30. PRESENT HIM TO THE LORD / LUKE 2:22-23
  31. THEY SPREAD THE WORD / LUKE 2:17-18
  32. A SAVIOR … CHRIST THE LORD / LUKE 2:11
  33. THE NATIONS YOUR INHERITANCE / PSALMS 2:8
  34. A MANGER / LUKE 2:6-7
  35. HOLINESS AND RIGHTEOUSNESS / LUKE 1:68-75
  36. GOD MY SAVIOR / LUKE 1:46-47
  37. AS YOU HAVE SAID / LUKE 1:38
  38. THE HOLY ONE / LUKE 1:34-35
  39. HIS FATHER DAVID / LUKE 1:32-33
  40. YOU WHO ARE HIGHLY FAVORED / LUKE 1:28
  41. PLEDGED TO BE MARRIED / LUKE 1:26-27
  42. SPIRIT AND POWER OF ELIJAH – THE FATHERS OF THEIR CLILDREN / LUKE 1:17
  43. FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT – WINE FERMENTED DRINK / LUKE 1:15
  44. DIVISION OF ABIJAH DESCENDANT OF AARON / LUKE 1:5
  45. THEOPHILUS / LUKE 1:1-4
  46. Crews N Away: Anchored in Grace

Thanks for stopping by the blog today! I love having you here. If this post resonated with you, please drop a comment below and share your thoughts. See you in the next post!

Blessings, Margarita & Stace

Posted on

SON OF MAN / LUKE 5:24

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Luke 5:24

But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins, (he said unto the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house.

The authority to forgive sins belongs to Jesus Christ, the Son of Man who walks with us in our humanity.

The Power to Heal and Forgive

In Luke 5:24, Jesus heals a paralyzed man to prove a profound reality: “But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins…” He didn’t just mend a broken body. He restored a broken soul.

The religious leaders of the day were scandalized. They knew that only God could forgive sins. By claiming this authority, Jesus was revealing His divine identity. Yet, He chose to call Himself the “Son of Man.”

Why “Son of Man”?

The “Son of Man” was the expression Jesus most often used to refer to Himself. It is likely He had adopted the expression from Daniel 7:13. Daniel used the title to describe a person he saw in a vision, one “like a son of man” coming with the clouds of heaven, who is given an everlasting kingdom.

In using this expression, Jesus is saying that He is the predicted Messiah sent by God. The phrase emphasizes Jesus’ humanity—the fact that God came to us through Christ—and His ability to relate to, help, and save us.

Jesus uses this title across the Gospels to reveal different facets of His mission:

Earthly Authority, Heavenly Grace

When you feel weighed down by guilt, shame, or physical brokenness, remember Luke 5:24. The Son of Man has authority on earth right now to forgive you. He understands your weaknesses because He became human, yet He possesses the ultimate power of God to make you whole. You can step into true freedom today.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father,

We thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus Christ, to dwell among us. We praise You, Jesus, as the Son of Man—our sympathetic High Priest who understands our human frailties, and our glorious King who holds all authority. Thank You for exercising Your power on earth to forgive our sins and heal our brokenness. Wash us clean today. Where we feel paralyzed by guilt, doubt, or fear, speak Your word of authority and bid us to rise and walk. May we live daily in the freedom of Your grace, looking forward to the day You return in the clouds with power and great glory.

In Jesus’ mighty name, we pray, Amen.

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend resources that genuinely encourage your faith walk.

Bible Study Tools I Use

  • NIV Bible
  • King James Bible
  • www. biblegateway.com
  • www.biblestudytools.com
  • Map Pencils
  • College Ruled Spiral Notebook
  • Ballpoint Pens
  • Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

  1. JESUS KNEW WHAT THEY WERE THINKING / LUKE 5:22
  2. CARRYING A PARALYTIC / LUKE 5:18
  3. THE POWER OF THE LORD WAS PRESENT / LUKE 5:17
  4. PRAYERS OF JESUS / LUKE 5:16
  5. YOU WILL CATCH MEN / LUKE 5:9-10
  6. HEALED THEM / LUKE 4:40
  7. AN EVIL SPIRIT / LUKE 4:33-35
  8. HIS MESSAGE HAD AUTHORITY / LUKE 4:32
  9. HE HAS ANOINTED ME / LUKE 4:18-19
  10. THE SPIRIT ON ME / LUKE 4:18
  11. SATAN’S USE OF SCRIPTURE / LUKE 4:10
  12. THE DEVIL / LUKE 4:9
  13. THE KINGDOMS OF THE WORLD / LUKE 4:5
  14. DOES NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE / LUKE 4:4
  15. JESUS FULL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT / LUKE 4:1-2
  16. JESUS’ GENEALOGY / LUKE 3:23
  17. HOLY SPIRIT DESCENDED ON HIM / LUKE 3:22
  18. HE WILL BURN UP THE CHAFF / LUKE 3:17
  19. BAPTIZE YOU WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT / LUKE 3:16
  20. FRUIT IN KEEPING WITH REPENTANCE / LUKE 3:8
  21. CAESAR … PILATE … HEROD / LUKE 3:1-2
  22. JESUS GREW IN WISDOM / LUKE 2:52
  23. I HAD TO BE IN MY FATHER’S HOUSE / LUKE 2:49-51
  24. THE CHILD GREW / LUKE 2:39-40
  25. ANNA … WORHIPED / LUKE 2:36-38
  26. A SWORD WILL PIERCE YOUR OWN SOUL / LUKE 2:33-35
  27. RIGHTEOUS AND DEVOUT – WAITING FOR THE CONSOLATION / LUKE 2:25-32
  28. A PAIR OF DOVES / LUKE 2:24
  29. PRESENT HIM TO THE LORD / LUKE 2:22-23
  30. THEY SPREAD THE WORD / LUKE 2:17-18
  31. A SAVIOR … CHRIST THE LORD / LUKE 2:11
  32. THE NATIONS YOUR INHERITANCE / PSALMS 2:8
  33. A MANGER / LUKE 2:6-7
  34. HOLINESS AND RIGHTEOUSNESS / LUKE 1:68-75
  35. GOD MY SAVIOR / LUKE 1:46-47
  36. AS YOU HAVE SAID / LUKE 1:38
  37. THE HOLY ONE / LUKE 1:34-35
  38. HIS FATHER DAVID / LUKE 1:32-33
  39. YOU WHO ARE HIGHLY FAVORED / LUKE 1:28
  40. PLEDGED TO BE MARRIED / LUKE 1:26-27
  41. SPIRIT AND POWER OF ELIJAH – THE FATHERS OF THEIR CLILDREN / LUKE 1:17
  42. FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT – WINE FERMENTED DRINK / LUKE 1:15
  43. DIVISION OF ABIJAH DESCENDANT OF AARON / LUKE 1:5
  44. THEOPHILUS / LUKE 1:1-4
  45. Crews N Away: Anchored in Grace

Thanks for stopping by the blog today! I love having you here. If this post resonated with you, please drop a comment below and share your thoughts. See you in the next post!

Blessings, Margarita & Stace

Posted on

JESUS KNEW WHAT THEY WERE THINKING / LUKE 5:22

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Luke 5:22

But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answering said unto them, What reason ye in your hearts?

The Audience of One: Guarding Your Mind When Jesus Knows Your Thoughts

When you realize that Jesus knows exactly what you are thinking, your private internal world suddenly shifts from an isolated vacuum into an active relationship with a living God. In Luke 5:22, we encounter a profound moment where the religious leaders silently question Christ’s authority to forgive sins. Before a single word escapes their mouths, the text reveals: “Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, ‘Why are you thinking these things in your hearts?'”.

This isn’t a parlor trick; it is a manifestation of divine omniscience. This truth can be intensely sobering, but it offers a transformative baseline for daily Christian living.

The Reality of His Omniscience

Scripture consistently reminds us that our internal monologue has an audience of One. God doesn’t just evaluate our external performance; He maps our deepest thoughts, longings, and imaginations.

  • The Scope of His Search: As detailed in Psalms 139, God discerns our thoughts from afar. Christ repeatedly demonstrates this real-time awareness throughout the Gospels—whether addressing Peter’s assumptions (Matthew 17:25), seeing Nathanael under the fig tree (John 1:48), or piercing straight through human deception (John 2:25; John 21:17).
  • Nothing is Hidden: Every secret ambition, silent irritation, and stray fantasy is laid bare before Him. As Hebrews 4:13 warns, nothing in all creation is hidden from His sight; everything is uncovered and exposed to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.

The Weight of Undisciplined Thoughts

It is a common pitfall to assume that thoughts are harmless as long as they aren’t acted upon. However, Jesus radically elevates the standard of internal holiness.

In Matthew 5:27-28, He explains that continuing to cultivate, indulge, and imagine ungodly things carries the same moral weight as committing the outward sin. A heart that continuously builds a home for resentment, lust, greed, or pride is a heart operating out of step with grace. Our minds are the testing ground for our actions. Left unmanaged, unchecked imagination inevitably hardens into sinful reality.

Three Steps to Reclaiming Your Mind

Recognizing this internal weakness shouldn’t drive us into despair or condemnation; it should drive us into a deeper reliance on the Holy Spirit. Winning the war for your mind requires intentional, spiritual discipline:

      [ CAPTURE ] ──► Identify ungodly thoughts early (2 Cor 10:5)
           │
           ▼
      [ RENEW ]   ──► Align the mind with Scripture (Rom 12:2)
           │
           ▼
      [ ANCHOR ]  ──► Focus on what is true and pure (Phil 4:8)
  1. Take Every Thought Captive:
    According to 2 Corinthians 10:5, we must actively destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to obey Christ. Stop letting harmful thoughts run on autopilot. Identify them early, call them out, and hand them over to Him.
  2. Commit to True Renewal:
    We cannot fight a broken mindset with sheer willpower. Romans 12:2 admonishes us: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” This transformation is a daily exchange—trading our natural anxieties and impulses for the truth of God’s Word.
  3. Anchor Your Attention Productively:
    To keep your mind clear of toxic patterns, you must fill it with things of substance. Philippians 4:8 provides a filtering system: fix your thoughts on whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and worthy of praise.

Your mind is a sacred space meant for fellowship with God. Instead of fearing His omniscience, find great comfort in it. The One who knows your deepest, darkest thoughts is the exact same Savior who willingly went to the cross to forgive them.

A Closing Prayer for a Renewed Mind

Heavenly Father,

You are the One who searches my heart and knows my thoughts before they are even formed on my tongue. Forgive me for the moments I have allowed my imagination to dwell on things that dishonor You, pretending that my secret thoughts were hidden from Your sight.

I ask today for the strength and discipline to guard my mind. Holy Spirit, pull down every stronghold of pride, anxiety, lust, or bitterness that tries to take root within me. Renew my mind daily through Your truth. Help me to immediately take every wandering thought captive and make it obedient to Jesus Christ. May the meditation of my heart be pleasing and acceptable to You, my Rock and my Redeemer.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

  1. CARRYING A PARALYTIC / LUKE 5:18
  2. THE POWER OF THE LORD WAS PRESENT / LUKE 5:17
  3. PRAYERS OF JESUS / LUKE 5:16
  4. YOU WILL CATCH MEN / LUKE 5:9-10
  5. HEALED THEM / LUKE 4:40
  6. AN EVIL SPIRIT / LUKE 4:33-35
  7. HIS MESSAGE HAD AUTHORITY / LUKE 4:32
  8. HE HAS ANOINTED ME / LUKE 4:18-19
  9. THE SPIRIT ON ME / LUKE 4:18
  10. SATAN’S USE OF SCRIPTURE / LUKE 4:10
  11. THE DEVIL / LUKE 4:9
  12. THE KINGDOMS OF THE WORLD / LUKE 4:5
  13. DOES NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE / LUKE 4:4
  14. JESUS FULL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT / LUKE 4:1-2
  15. JESUS’ GENEALOGY / LUKE 3:23
  16. HOLY SPIRIT DESCENDED ON HIM / LUKE 3:22
  17. HE WILL BURN UP THE CHAFF / LUKE 3:17
  18. BAPTIZE YOU WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT / LUKE 3:16
  19. FRUIT IN KEEPING WITH REPENTANCE / LUKE 3:8
  20. CAESAR … PILATE … HEROD / LUKE 3:1-2
  21. JESUS GREW IN WISDOM / LUKE 2:52
  22. I HAD TO BE IN MY FATHER’S HOUSE / LUKE 2:49-51
  23. THE CHILD GREW / LUKE 2:39-40
  24. ANNA … WORHIPED / LUKE 2:36-38
  25. A SWORD WILL PIERCE YOUR OWN SOUL / LUKE 2:33-35
  26. RIGHTEOUS AND DEVOUT – WAITING FOR THE CONSOLATION / LUKE 2:25-32
  27. A PAIR OF DOVES / LUKE 2:24
  28. PRESENT HIM TO THE LORD / LUKE 2:22-23
  29. THEY SPREAD THE WORD / LUKE 2:17-18
  30. A SAVIOR … CHRIST THE LORD / LUKE 2:11
  31. THE NATIONS YOUR INHERITANCE / PSALMS 2:8
  32. A MANGER / LUKE 2:6-7
  33. HOLINESS AND RIGHTEOUSNESS / LUKE 1:68-75
  34. GOD MY SAVIOR / LUKE 1:46-47
  35. AS YOU HAVE SAID / LUKE 1:38
  36. THE HOLY ONE / LUKE 1:34-35
  37. HIS FATHER DAVID / LUKE 1:32-33
  38. YOU WHO ARE HIGHLY FAVORED / LUKE 1:28
  39. PLEDGED TO BE MARRIED / LUKE 1:26-27
  40. SPIRIT AND POWER OF ELIJAH – THE FATHERS OF THEIR CLILDREN / LUKE 1:17
  41. FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT – WINE FERMENTED DRINK / LUKE 1:15
  42. DIVISION OF ABIJAH DESCENDANT OF AARON / LUKE 1:5
  43. THEOPHILUS / LUKE 1:1-4
  44. Crews N Away: Anchored in Grace

Thanks for stopping by the blog today! I love having you here. If this post resonated with you, please drop a comment below and share your thoughts. See you in the next post!

Blessings, Margarita & Stace

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