Month: June 2019

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Settle Your Debt Today

Tim Farley

  Reading the Word Luke 12:57–59 (ESV) 57 “And why do you not judge for yourselves what is right? 58 As you go with your accuser before the magistrate, make an effort to settle with him on the way, lest he drag you to the judge, and the judge hand you over to the officer, and the officer put you in prison. 59 I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the very last penny.” Understanding and Applying the Word Getting entangled in a legal battle can be a costly affair. This is why it is … Continue reading Settle Your Debt Today

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Understanding the Times

Tim Farley

  Shaped by the Word is a daily, Bible-reading devotional. I do not publish supplemental material on Sundays, but do include a suggested passage from Scripture to read. Please be sure to subscribe to this page so you can follow along each day. We are reading through the life of Christ in 2019. Thanks for reading! Reading the Word Luke 12:54–56 (ESV) 54 He also said to the crowds, “When you see a cloud rising in the west, you say at once, ‘A shower is coming.’ And so it happens. 55 And when you see the south wind blowing, you … Continue reading Understanding the Times

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A Divisive Message

Tim Farley

Reading the Word Luke 12:49–53 (ESV) 49 “I came to cast fire on the earth, and would that it were already kindled! 50 I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how great is my distress until it is accomplished! 51 Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. 52 For from now on in one house there will be five divided, three against two and two against three. 53 They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, … Continue reading A Divisive Message

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Who Do You Serve?

Tim Farley

  Reading the Word Luke 12:41–48 (ESV) 41 Peter said, “Lord, are you telling this parable for us or for all?” 42 And the Lord said, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom his master will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the proper time? 43 Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. 44 Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions. 45 But if that servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed in coming,’ and begins to beat … Continue reading Who Do You Serve?

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Stay Ready

Tim Farley

  Reading the Word Luke 12:37–40 (ESV) 37 Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will dress himself for service and have them recline at table, and he will come and serve them. 38 If he comes in the second watch, or in the third, and finds them awake, blessed are those servants! 39 But know this, that if the master of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have left his house to be broken into. 40 You also must be … Continue reading Stay Ready

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Ready for Christ’s Return

Tim Farley

  Reading the Word Luke 12:35–36 (ESV) 35 “Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning, 36 and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks. Understanding and Applying the Word Jesus followed his teaching on possessions by telling his disciples that they must “stay dressed for action” and “keep your lamps burning.” Christ’s followers understand that there will be a day when he returns and mankind will be judged. Knowing this should affect how … Continue reading Ready for Christ’s Return

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Sell Your Possessions and Give to the Needy

Tim Farley

  Reading the Word Luke 12:33–34 (ESV) 33 Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Understanding and Applying the Word Jesus spoke a great deal about possessions and coveting in the previous verses (cf. Luke 12:13-32). The focus of his teaching was telling his disciples to learn to trust that God would care for them. The disciples needed to learn … Continue reading Sell Your Possessions and Give to the Needy

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Don’t Be a Rich Fool

Tim Farley

  Reading the Word Luke 12:16–21 (ESV) 16 And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, 17 and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ 18 And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.” ’ 20 But God said to him, ‘Fool! … Continue reading Don’t Be a Rich Fool

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It’s Not About Possessions

Tim Farley

  Shaped by the Word is a daily, Bible-reading devotional. I do not publish supplemental material on Sundays, but I do include a Scripture reading for the day. Please be sure to subscribe so you can follow along each day. We are reading through the life of Jesus Christ throughout 2019. Reading the Word Luke 12:13–15 (ESV) 13 Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” 14 But he said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?” 15 And he said to them, “Take care, and … Continue reading It’s Not About Possessions

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Will You Deny Jesus?

Tim Farley

Reading the Word Luke 12:8–12 (ESV) 8 “And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God, 9 but the one who denies me before men will be denied before the angels of God. 10 And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. 11 And when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself or … Continue reading Will You Deny Jesus?

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