Displaying Christian Sermons by tag: luke

John Hagee (July-12-2022) Daily Devotional: Luke 21:28 - "Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near."

Signs of the times abound around us! As we learned from the book of Daniel, we are living in the final days of the last earthly kingdom.

Like dominoes arranged in an intricate pattern, the whole world holds its breath in anticipation of the moment when God tips the first block to set in motion the chain of events that will dot every “i” and cross every “t” to fulfill every prophecy contained in His Word. Every component is in place, and how quickly the tiles will fall when He precipitates the day and hour.

For followers of Jesus, we do not look to the future with dread. Our God sits upon the throne of an eternal kingdom. We are not waiting for Him to get started; we are waiting for God to complete His plan.

Soon, the struggles of this life will conclude. Those who have endured to the end shall be saved. He will wipe every tear from our eyes. We will slip the confines of this earth to finally go home!

The trump of God is pressed against an angel’s lips, and we anticipate the blast that will cause us to be changed. In the blink of an eye, this corruptible will put on incorruptibility, and the mortal will put on immortality. When will God tip the first domino?

Blessing: May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you and give you His peace. May you stand steadfast and immovable, always abounding in the Lord’s work, and anticipating His soon return!

Today's Bible Reading: 

• Old Testament - 1 Chronicles 12:19-14:17
• New Testament - Romans 1:1-17
• Psalms & Proverbs - Psalm 9:13-20, Proverbs 19:4-5

John Hagee (June-21-2022) Daily Devotional: Luke 11:23 - He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters.

The cross of Christ demands a decision. Neutrality does not lead to triumph. To not deliberately choose is to make the choice.

When the Pharisees leveled their accusations at Jesus, He spelled it out very simply. There is no neutral ground. If we are not on His side, we are His enemy. If we are not helping do His work, we are actually harming His cause.

Many come to the cross as a source of salvation. They embrace the convenience of redemption but reject the commitment that comes with it. They view their relationship with Jesus as a complementary aside – not the one priority of primary and utmost importance.

True commitment is not convenient. When our comfort is challenged, and we still choose the way of the cross, it is in that place that our commitment is demonstrated. If anyone wants to follow Jesus, he must lay down his own life and ambitions – not convenient. That person must take up his cross and sacrifice his personal desires – not convenient. He must follow Jesus and choose His plan – that is commitment.

If we are committed to the cross, we are committed to the Savior Who died on that tree. We are committed to follow His Word that commissions us to do the work of our Father. There is no neutral ground.

Blessing: May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you and give you His peace. As you lay down your life and commit to follow Him, may He strengthen you for every good work. Amen and amen.

Today's Bible Reading: 

• Old Testament - 2 Kings 1:1-2:25
• New Testament - Acts 13:42-14:7
• Psalms & Proverbs - Psalm 139:1-24, Proverbs 17:19-21

John Hagee (June-01-2022) Daily Devotional: Luke 10:34 - So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine…

David knew the voice of the Good Shepherd because his young life was spent in the pastures tending his father’s flocks. Strumming his harp, he wrote songs to the Mighty One of Israel.

He understood the power of the anointing. When springtime pastures grew green and lush, he led the sheep to the fields. As they grazed, sharp blades of new grass and thorny bushes cut their tender muzzles. Flies then laid eggs in the open wounds, and the infected cuts tormented the sheep.  

As a caring shepherd, David took oil from his bag to anoint the lambs. As the fragrant oil flowed over the head of the animal, the flies would take their leave; the curative properties of the oil would trickle into the wounds to alleviate the pain and bring healing.  

Jesus, our Good Shepherd, knows that we need the anointing to heal the wounds that the enemy has inflicted on our souls. He understands that we need emotional relief from guilt and shame, spiritual relief from the oppression that weighs us down, and physical relief from sickness and weariness.  

He longs to gather us into His arms, to pour out the healing oil and the wine of gladness until the grace, peace, joy, and love of God saturate our lives.    

Blessing:  May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you and give you His peace. Allow the Good Shepherd to hold you close today. May He pour out the anointing oil and wine of gladness until your cup overflows with joy that cannot be contained.

Today's Bible Reading: 

• Old Testament - 2 Samuel 16:1-19:10a
• New Testament - John 20:1-31
• Psalms & Proverbs - Psalm 119:156-176, Proverbs 16:14-15

John Hagee (April-30-2022) Daily Devotional: Luke 12:48 - For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.

Romans 3:23 reminds us that we have all sinned and fallen short of God’s expectations. We have compiled a long list of transgressions, proven ourselves incapable of living up to the glorious plans He has for us.

In His mercy, God sent Jesus to save us. His blood washed away our sins, and He adopted us as His own children.

Jesus told of a master who wished to settle his accounts. He summoned a slave who owed billions of dollars. His master commanded that his family and everything he owned be sold to pay the debt. When the servant fell down and begged for mercy, he released him and forgave the debt.

Afterwards, the servant found a fellow servant who owed him a small sum of money. He grabbed him by the throat, demanded payment, and threw him into debtors’ prison. When this news reached his master, he turned the ungrateful servant over to the tormentors until his debt was repaid.

Mercy and forgiveness are wonderful to receive but can be difficult to extend to another. Remember the great debt of sin that Jesus has forgiven you, and be quick to extend mercy to the one who offends. Much has been given, and much will be required.

Blessing: May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you and give you His peace. Be generously forgiving, and it will come back to you in the same measure. May it be pressed down, shaken together, and running over!

Today's Bible Reading: 

• Old Testament - Judges 11:1-12:15
• New Testament - John 1:1-28
• Psalms & Proverbs - Psalm 101:1-8, Proverbs 14:13-14

John Hagee (April-28-2022) Daily Devotional: Luke 6:32 - But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.

Most churches would have welcomed the Pharisees. After all, they tithed up to 30% of their income, knew the Scriptures backwards and forwards, fasted twice a week, and were very religious.

They were also mean-spirited, stingy, and self-righteous. They twisted the Scriptures – tested and questioned Jesus. They prayed loudly in the streets, so others would be impressed with their piety. They moped pitifully when they fasted, so people would admire their self-deprivation and discipline.

Jesus saw through their religious façade, and they hated Him for it. However, Jesus said that even the Pharisees – deceptive hypocrites that they were – loved those who loved them. And He challenges us today: if we only love those who are kindly disposed towards us, what credit is that to us?

The true test of love is when we are the first to forgive, when we seek to be reconciled to an enemy, when we do good to those that deceive and use us, when we lend to the needy with no expectation of return, when we treat others the way we wish to be treated. Jesus promises a wonderful reward when we act like our generous Father Who shows us how to be kind to the ungrateful and wicked (Luke 6:35).

Blessing: May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you and give you His peace. Jesus paid the price for you to be forgiven. May the Holy Spirit fill you with His power to forgive others. May your relationships be restored in the mighty name of Jesus.

Today's Bible Reading: 

• Old Testament - Judges 8:17-9:21
• New Testament - Luke 23:44-24:12
• Psalms & Proverbs - Psalm 99:1-9, Proverbs 14:9-10

John Hagee (January-30-2022) Daily Devotional: Luke 6:45 - A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil

The food that we put in our mouths determines how we address our bodies. Donuts now mean treadmill time later!

That principle holds true in our spiritual lives also. What we take in now decides our behavior later. And many of us are stuck on a treadmill.

We can get bogged down on a financial treadmill. Our focus becomes the love of money instead of God, our ultimate Provider. Instead of sowing into God’s purposes, we withhold our giving. We do the work but get nowhere.

Or, we find ourselves stuck in an endless loop of unforgiveness. We want to let go and allow God to heal our hearts, but we rehearse the arguments and offenses. Over and over, we replay the scenes in our minds.

The children of Israel could have crossed the wilderness in 14 days.  Instead, they found themselves on a 40-year treadmill. Their doubt, disobedience, and distraction did not get them where they desired to go.

What treasures are you taking in and storing up in your heart? Are they worthy things that will cause you to bring forth good? Only you can control the input that will change the output…and save some treadmill time!

Blessing: May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you and give you His peace. Where your treasure is, your heart can be found also. May your heart always be hidden in Christ. May His goodness be evident in your life. All devotion belongs to Him.

Today's Bible Reading: 

• Old Testament - Exodus 10:1-12:13
• New Testament - Matthew 20:1-28
• Psalms & Proverbs - Psalm 25:1-11, Proverbs 6:6-11

John Hagee (January-21-2022) Daily Devotional: Luke 19:40 - But He answered and said to them, ‘I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out.'

When Jesus mentioned those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, He was not referring to those with a polite appetite – an invitation to brunch after church.

He was speaking of the attitude and actions of a person starving for even a morsel of food. The ravenous person does not graciously accept the plate, shake out her napkin, and delicately slice the food into bite-sized pieces. She grabs it greedily and buries her face and fingers in it, licking the last crumbs from her hands. She does not care how she looks or if it offends the onlooker.

When was the last time that the Church craved Christ in that manner? When was the last time that we were so hungry for the move of God in our midst that we did not care what the onlookers said? When was the last time that we so urgently wanted the lost to come to Jesus that we boldly declared the Gospel with no thought for what others might think?

When we hunger and thirst for Him, fear is burnt up in His presence. When we are desperate in our pursuit of God, He will hear and answer. If we do not cry out for Him, the stones will!

Blessing: May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you and give you His peace. May the Father fill you with a holy hunger. May His presence flood your life. May His Word be your desire and every breath be a sacrifice of praise to the Worthy One.

Today's Bible Reading: 

• Old Testament - Genesis 42:18-43:34
• New Testament - Matthew 13:47-14:13
• Psalms & Proverbs - Psalm 18:16-34, Proverbs 4:7-10

John Hagee (January-16-2022) Daily Devotional: Luke 4:18 - The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted.

The Spirit of the Lord has sent Jesus to proclaim pardon for prisoners, to restore sight to the blind, and to liberate the burdened and the battered.

Before Jesus came, we sat in darkness, in the very shadow of death. We were bound in a cell of sin, confined behind iron bars. Our eyes were blinded by sin, our minds darkened by a heavy veil that kept us from understanding the things of God. Sin was our master, and we were enslaved to corruption.

But Jesus came in the power of the anointing; the Light dawned on us! We were translated from the kingdom of darkness into His marvelous light. The scales fell from our eyes, and He gave us eyes to see things as they truly are. He broke our chains in pieces, snapped the iron bars in half. We turned to the power of God to receive forgiveness and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith.

Our scarlet sins were washed white as snow by His crimson blood. We became brand new creatures in Christ. It is for freedom that He has set us free, and if He makes us free, we are indeed completely free!

Blessing: May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you and give you His peace. No more oppression! No more blindness! No more chains! Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. His anointing has set you free!

Today's Bible Reading: 

• Old Testament - Genesis 32:12-34:31
• New Testament - Matthew 11:7-30
• Psalms & Proverbs - Psalm 14:1-7, Proverbs 3:19-20

John Hagee (January-15-2022) Daily Devotional: Luke 4:18 - The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted.

The Spirit of God has anointed Jesus to break the yokes—the shackles of Satan—in our lives. When Jesus abides in us, the power of His anointing is brought to bear in our every need.

Jesus brings the gospel to the poor—not just those lacking in financial resources, but any of us who experience lack in our lives. Our bank accounts may be full, but our heart accounts can be empty. Our All in All recognizes the places where we fall short and brings the good news of His sufficiency into the equation.

In place of turmoil, He gives peace. In place of doubt, He gives confidence. In place of exhaustion, He brings refreshing. In place of weakness, He grants strength.

Jesus has come to heal the brokenhearted. Our hearts are so susceptible to brokenness. They can be crushed through circumstances beyond our control, destroyed by decisions that we long to take back, or shattered by tragedies of the past.

One touch of His anointed hand can restore the splintered fragments. He fills our hearts with hope again. We sing a new song. We learn to love once more. He is a God of second chances and new beginnings.

Blessing: May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you and give you His peace. May God provide for your every need according to His glorious riches. Even though your weeping may last through the night, His joy will come in the morning!

Today's Bible Reading: 

• Old Testament - Genesis 31:17-32:12
• New Testament - Matthew 10:27-11:6
• Psalms & Proverbs - Psalm 13:1-6, Proverbs 3:16-18

John Hagee (December-31-2021) Daily Devotional: Luke 8:40 - So it was, when Jesus returned, that the multitude welcomed Him, for they were all waiting for Him.

Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus was met with mobs and meals (Lord, tell Mary to help me!), palm branches and parades, accusations and accolades, pointing fingers and perfume. His presence prompted a response.

Even today, Jesus demands a decision….and action. What we choose to do with Jesus and His cross is the primary and most pressing decision any person ever makes.

Instead of His death ringing with finality, it trumpeted a new beginning for all of us. His anguished cry, “It is finished,” actually means “paid in full.”  He wiped away the enormous, insurmountable debt – the penalty for our sins – completely. How can we properly express our gratitude and devotion?

At midnight tonight, many will celebrate with confetti and countdowns, horns and hats, fireworks and food, remembrances and resolutions. We will usher in the new year with exhilaration and anticipation of good things to come.

How will you meet Jesus in 2022? Wait and watch for Him. Welcome Him with worship and adoration. Greet Him with gratitude and great joy! To truly honor Jesus in the coming year, what is the one thing that you can begin to do now? How will you usher Him in?

Blessing: Heavenly Father, thank You for a new heart, a new mind, new beginnings, and new mercies, a new life – and a new year! Thank You for Your nearness in 2021 and for the promise of Your presence in 2022. I welcome You into every second of every day. Fill me with Your presence to accomplish Your purposes. I press on for the prize in Christ Jesus! In His name…amen.

Today's Bible Reading: 

• Old Testament - Malachi 3:1-4:6
• New Testament - Revelation 22:1-21
• Psalms & Proverbs - Psalm 150:1-6, Proverbs 31:25-31