PT-4 Intro to “The Character of a True Christian” (Luke 6:20-26)

 

MORNING SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 7/15/2026 10:16 AM

My Worship Time                                Focus:  PT-4 Intro to “The Character of a True Christian”

Bible Reading & Meditation                                                                  Reference: Luke 6:20-26

            Message of the verses:  “²⁰ And turning His gaze toward His disciples, He began to say, “Blessed are ^[a]you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. ²¹ Blessed are ^[b]you who hunger now, for you shall be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh. ²² Blessed are you when men hate you, and ostracize you, and insult you, and scorn your name as evil, for the sake of the Son of Man. ²³ Be glad in that day and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven. For in the same way their fathers used to ^[c]treat the prophets. ²⁴ But woe to you who are rich, for you are receiving your comfort in full. ²⁵ Woe to you who ^[d]are well-fed now, for you shall be hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep. ²⁶ Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for their fathers used to ^[e]treat the false prophets in the same way.”

            I continue in what may be a very long section in John MacArthur’s introduction to the verses above, and I have to say that this introduction will be very long as I quote the verses that MacArthur brings up in order to best understand the passage.

            “The Lord presented Himself as the only way to God (John 14:6; cf. 10:7-9).”

(John 14:6; cf. 10:7-9)

“6  Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

“7  So Jesus again said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8  All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9  I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.”

“He claimed to be the bread of life (John 6:35, 51), the good shepherd, who lays down His life for the sheep (John 10:11), the light of the world (John 8:12: 12:46), and the resurrection and the life (John 11:25).”

the bread of life (John 6:35, 51)

“35  Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.”

“51  I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.’’

the good shepherd (John 10:11)

“11  I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”

the light of the world (John 8:12: 12:46)

12 ¶  Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’’

“46  I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.”

the resurrection and the life (John 11:25)

“25  Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live,”

“The Father sovereignly draws to Christ (John 6:37, 39, 44) those who will be saved through repentance (Mark 1:15; Luke 5:32; 13:3, 5; 24:47) and faith in the Son (John 1:12; 3:14-18, 36; 5:24; 6:40).”

draws to Christ (John 6:37, 39, 44)

“37  All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.”

“39  And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day.”

“44  No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.”

who will be saved through repentance (Mark 1:15; Luke 5:32; 13:3, 5; 24:47)

“15  and saying,, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’’

“32  I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.’’

“3  No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”

“5  No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish."

“47  and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.”

faith in the Son (John 1:12; 3:14-18, 36; 5:24; 6:40)

“12  But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,”

“14  And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15  that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. 16  "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18  Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.”

“36  Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.”

“24  Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.”

“40  For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.’’

“They will receive eternal life (John 3:15-16) and spend eternity in heaven (John 14:2-3).”

(John 3:15-16)

“15  that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. 16  "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

(John 14:2-3)

“2  In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.”

Spiritual Meaning for my life today:  I have to say that I appreciate how John MacArthur adds these verse references in his commentary on the gospel of Luke.  These mean much to me, and it shows me that the Holy Spirit is the One who is the Author of the Word of God.

My Steps of Faith for Today:  I am trusting the Lord to give peace to my wife and all of our family as we are trying to serve the Lord by serving my wife as she suffers with the cancer that has invaded her body.

7/15/2026 10:59 AM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PT-3 Intro to “The Character of a True Christian” (Luke 6:20-26)

  

MORNING SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 7/14/2026 9:14 AM

My Worship Time                                Focus:  PT-3 Intro to “The Character of a True Christian”

Bible Reading & Meditation                                                                  Reference: Luke 6:20-26

            Message of the verses:  “²⁰ And turning His gaze toward His disciples, He began to say, “Blessed are ^[a]you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. ²¹ Blessed are ^[b]you who hunger now, for you shall be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh. ²² Blessed are you when men hate you, and ostracize you, and insult you, and scorn your name as evil, for the sake of the Son of Man. ²³ Be glad in that day and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven. For in the same way their fathers used to ^[c]treat the prophets. ²⁴ But woe to you who are rich, for you are receiving your comfort in full. ²⁵ Woe to you who ^[d]are well-fed now, for you shall be hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep. ²⁶ Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for their fathers used to ^[e]treat the false prophets in the same way.”

            I continue in what may be a very long section in John MacArthur’s introduction to the verses above.

            “In His teaching concerning Himself, Jesus clearly, unequivocally, and emphatically declared His deity and absolute equality with the Father.  The apostle John wrote that ‘the Jews were seeking all the more to kill Him, because He not only was breaking the Sabbath, but also was calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God’ (John 5:18).  Jesus declared to the hostile Jewish leaders, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you before Abraham was born, I am’ (John 8:58), taking for Himself the name “I AM’ by which God revealed Himself in the Old Testament (Ex. 3:14).”  “14  God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM." And he said, "Say this to the people of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’" 14  God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM." And he said, "Say this to the people of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’"  “He again affirmed His deity in John 10:30 when He said to the Jews ‘I and the Father are one.’  Unlike modern cultists, the unbelieving Jews understood clearly that Jesus was claiming to be God; that was why they sought to kill Him (John 5:18; 8:59; 10:31-33).”

(John 5:18; 8:59; 10:31-33)

“18  This was why the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him, because not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.”

“59  So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple.”

“31  The Jews picked up stones again to stone him. 32  Jesus answered them, “I have shown you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you going to stone me?” 33  The Jews answered him, “It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you but for blasphemy, because you, being a man, make yourself God.’’

“If, as some skeptics say, they had misunderstood Him, Jesus’ failure to clarify what He really meant is inexplicable—particularly when failing to do so cost Him His life (John 19:7).”

(John 19:7)

“7  The Jews answered him, “We have a law, and according to that law he ought to die because he has made himself the Son of God.’’

            “Reinforcing His claim to deity, Jesus taught that He had come from heaven (John 3:13; 6:38, 51, 62; 13:3; 16:28), sent by the Father (John 5:36-37) to do His will (John 6:38).”

He had come from heaven (John 3:13; 6:38, 51, 62; 13:3; 16:28)

“13  No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man.”

“38  For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me.”

“51  I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.’’

“62  Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before?”

“3  Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God,”

“28 ¶  I came from the Father and have come into the world, and now I am leaving the world and going to the Father.’’

sent by the Father (John 5:36-37)

“36  But the testimony that I have is greater than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to accomplish, the very works that I am doing, bear witness about me that the Father has sent me. 37  And the Father who sent me has himself borne witness about me. His voice you have never heard, his form you have never seen,”

to do His will (John 6:38)

“38  and you do not have his word abiding in you, for you do not believe the one whom he has sent.”

“He also claimed authority to forgive sins, a prerogative that belongs to God alone (Luke 5:20-24), and that He in fact Possessed ‘all authority…in heaven and on earth’ (Matt. 28:18).”

(Luke 5:20-24)

“20  And when he saw their faith, he said, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.” 21  And the scribes and the Pharisees began to question, saying, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 22  When Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answered them, "Why do you question in your hearts? 23  Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? 24  But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins"—he said to the man who was paralyzed—" I say to you, rise, pick up your bed and go home.’’

            “Jesus predicted his death and resurrection (Matt. 17:22-23; 20:18-19; Mark 8:31; John 2:19-21), and taught that His death would be the atoning sacrifice for sin (Matt. 26:28; John 10:11, 15), that would provide salvation (Luke 19:10; cf. 5:31-32; Matt. 20:28) for all who believe in Him (John 3:14-18).

Jesus predicted his death and resurrection (Matt. 17:22-23; 20:18-19; Mark 8:31; John 2:19-21)

“22 ¶  As they were gathering in Galilee, Jesus said to them, "The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men, 23  and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day." And they were greatly distressed.”

“18  "See, we are going up to Jerusalem. And the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death 19  and deliver him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day."

“31  And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again.”

“19  Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” 20  The Jews then said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will you raise it up in three days?” 21  But he was speaking about the temple of his body. 22  When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.”

taught that His death would be the atoning sacrifice for sin (Matt. 26:28; John 10:11, 15),

“28  for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”

“11  I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”

“15  just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.”

that would provide salvation (Luke 19:10; cf. 5:31-32; Matt. 20:28)

“10  For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.’”

31  And Jesus answered them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 32  I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.’”

28  even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’”

for all who believe in Him (John 3:14-18)

“14  And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15  that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. 16  "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18  Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.”

“Jesus also taught that He will one day return in glory (Matt. 24:27) to judge the wicked and establish His kingdom (Matt. 16:27; 25:31-46).”

He will one day return in glory (Matt. 24:27)

“27  For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.”

to judge the wicked and establish His kingdom (Matt. 16:27; 25:31-46)

“27  For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done.”

“  31 ¶  "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 32  Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33  And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. 34  Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35  For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36  I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37  Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38  And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39  And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40  And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ 41  "Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42  For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, 43  I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ 44  Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ 45  Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ 46  And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.’”

Spiritual Meaning for my Life Today:  Given the circumstances that my wife is going through at this time, as without a miracle from the Lord, she will soon be with the Lord in glory, I am thankful for all of the promises that I have seen in these verses that I have quoted today.

My Steps of Faith for Today:  “Continue to trust the Lord to give my wife and myself strength to go through the great circumstances we are going through at this time, and that it will bring glory to the Lord.

7/14/2026 10:01 AM

 

 

 

 

 

 

PT-2 Intro to “The Character of a True Christian” (Luke 6:20-26)

 

MORNING SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 7/14/2026 9:14 AM

My Worship Time                                Focus:  PT-2 Intro to “The Character of a True Christian”

Bible Reading & Meditation                                                                  Reference: Luke 6:20-26

            Message of the verses:  “²⁰ And turning His gaze toward His disciples, He began to say, “Blessed are ^[a]you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. ²¹ Blessed are ^[b]you who hunger now, for you shall be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh. ²² Blessed are you when men hate you, and ostracize you, and insult you, and scorn your name as evil, for the sake of the Son of Man. ²³ Be glad in that day and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven. For in the same way their fathers used to ^[c]treat the prophets. ²⁴ But woe to you who are rich, for you are receiving your comfort in full. ²⁵ Woe to you who ^[d]are well-fed now, for you shall be hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep. ²⁶ Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for their fathers used to ^[e]treat the false prophets in the same way.”

            I continue in what may be a very long section in John MacArthur’s introduction to the verses above.

            “In His teaching concerning Himself, Jesus clearly, unequivocally, and emphatically declared His deity and absolute equality with the Father.  The apostle John wrote that ‘the Jews were seeking all the more to kill Him, because He not only was breaking the Sabbath, but also was calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God’ (John 5:18).  Jesus declared to the hostile Jewish leaders, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you before Abraham was born, I am’ (John 8:58), taking for Himself the name “I AM’ by which God revealed Himself in the Old Testament (Ex. 3:14).”  “14  God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM." And he said, "Say this to the people of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’" 14  God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM." And he said, "Say this to the people of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’"  “He again affirmed His deity in John 10:30 when He said to the Jews ‘I and the Father are one.’  Unlike modern cultists, the unbelieving Jews understood clearly that Jesus was claiming to be God; that was why they sought to kill Him (John 5:18; 8:59; 10:31-33).”

(John 5:18; 8:59; 10:31-33)

“18  This was why the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him, because not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.”

“59  So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple.”

“31  The Jews picked up stones again to stone him. 32  Jesus answered them, “I have shown you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you going to stone me?” 33  The Jews answered him, “It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you but for blasphemy, because you, being a man, make yourself God.’’

“If, as some skeptics say, they had misunderstood Him, Jesus’ failure to clarify what He really meant is inexplicable—particularly when failing to do so cost Him His life (John 19:7).”

(John 19:7)

“7  The Jews answered him, “We have a law, and according to that law he ought to die because he has made himself the Son of God.’’

            “Reinforcing His claim to deity, Jesus taught that He had come from heaven (John 3:13; 6:38, 51, 62; 13:3; 16:28), sent by the Father (John 5:36-37) to do His will (John 6:38).”

He had come from heaven (John 3:13; 6:38, 51, 62; 13:3; 16:28)

“13  No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man.”

“38  For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me.”

“51  I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.’’

“62  Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before?”

“3  Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God,”

“28 ¶  I came from the Father and have come into the world, and now I am leaving the world and going to the Father.’’

sent by the Father (John 5:36-37)

“36  But the testimony that I have is greater than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to accomplish, the very works that I am doing, bear witness about me that the Father has sent me. 37  And the Father who sent me has himself borne witness about me. His voice you have never heard, his form you have never seen,”

to do His will (John 6:38)

“38  and you do not have his word abiding in you, for you do not believe the one whom he has sent.”

“He also claimed authority to forgive sins, a prerogative that belongs to God alone (Luke 5:20-24), and that He in fact Possessed ‘all authority…in heaven and on earth’ (Matt. 28:18).”

(Luke 5:20-24)

“20  And when he saw their faith, he said, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.” 21  And the scribes and the Pharisees began to question, saying, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 22  When Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answered them, "Why do you question in your hearts? 23  Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? 24  But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins"—he said to the man who was paralyzed—" I say to you, rise, pick up your bed and go home.’’

            “Jesus predicted his death and resurrection (Matt. 17:22-23; 20:18-19; Mark 8:31; John 2:19-21), and taught that His death would be the atoning sacrifice for sin (Matt. 26:28; John 10:11, 15), that would provide salvation (Luke 19:10; cf. 5:31-32; Matt. 20:28) for all who believe in Him (John 3:14-18).

Jesus predicted his death and resurrection (Matt. 17:22-23; 20:18-19; Mark 8:31; John 2:19-21)

“22 ¶  As they were gathering in Galilee, Jesus said to them, "The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men, 23  and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day." And they were greatly distressed.”

“18  "See, we are going up to Jerusalem. And the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death 19  and deliver him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day."

“31  And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again.”

“19  Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” 20  The Jews then said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will you raise it up in three days?” 21  But he was speaking about the temple of his body. 22  When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.”

taught that His death would be the atoning sacrifice for sin (Matt. 26:28; John 10:11, 15),

“28  for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”

“11  I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”

“15  just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.”

that would provide salvation (Luke 19:10; cf. 5:31-32; Matt. 20:28)

“10  For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.’”

31  And Jesus answered them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 32  I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.’”

28  even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’”

for all who believe in Him (John 3:14-18)

“14  And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15  that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. 16  "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18  Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.”

“Jesus also taught that He will one day return in glory (Matt. 24:27) to judge the wicked and establish His kingdom (Matt. 16:27; 25:31-46).”

He will one day return in glory (Matt. 24:27)

“27  For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.”

to judge the wicked and establish His kingdom (Matt. 16:27; 25:31-46)

“27  For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done.”

“  31 ¶  "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 32  Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33  And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. 34  Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35  For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36  I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37  Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38  And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39  And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40  And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ 41  "Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42  For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, 43  I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ 44  Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ 45  Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ 46  And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.’”

Spiritual Meaning for my Life Today:  Given the circumstances that my wife is going through at this time, as without a miracle from the Lord, she will soon be with the Lord in glory, I am thankful for all of the promises that I have seen in these verses that I have quoted today.

My Steps of Faith for Today:  “Continue to trust the Lord to give my wife and myself strength to go through the great circumstances we are going through at this time, and that it will bring glory to the Lord.

7/14/2026 10:01 AM

 

 

 

 

 

 

PT-1 Intro to “The Character of a True Christian” (Luke 6:20-26)

 

EVENING SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 7/13/2026 8:01 PM

My Worship Time                                Focus:  PT-1 Intro to “The Character of a True Christian”

Bible Reading & Meditation                                                                  Reference: Luke 6:20-26

            Message of the verses:  “²⁰ And turning His gaze toward His disciples, He began to say, “Blessed are ^[a]you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. ²¹ Blessed are ^[b]you who hunger now, for you shall be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh. ²² Blessed are you when men hate you, and ostracize you, and insult you, and scorn your name as evil, for the sake of the Son of Man. ²³ Be glad in that day and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven. For in the same way their fathers used to ^[c]treat the prophets. ²⁴ But woe to you who are rich, for you are receiving your comfort in full. ²⁵ Woe to you who ^[d]are well-fed now, for you shall be hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep. ²⁶ Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for their fathers used to ^[e]treat the false prophets in the same way.”

            John MacArthur writes:  “In his recounting of the magnificent story of the life and ministry of  the Lord Jesus Christ, Luke amasses irrefutable evidence that He is the Messiah, God in human flesh, the Savior of the world.  Of the many proofs Luke has presented so far (see the list in the previous chapter of this volume), none is more compelling than Christ’s teaching.  He was the most truthful, wise, and powerful preacher ever and His teaching consequently drew massive crowds who were amazed and astonished by what they heard (cf. Matt. 7:28; John 7:31-32, 45-46).”

(cf. Matt. 7:28; John 7:31-32, 45-46)

“28  And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching,”

“31  Yet many of the people believed in him. They said, “When the Christ appears, will he do more signs than this man has done?” 32  The Pharisees heard the crowd muttering these things about him, and the chief priests and Pharisees sent officers to arrest him.”

“45 ¶  The officers then came to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, “Why did you not bring him?” 46  The officers answered, “No one ever spoke like this man!’”

            “Jesus spoke the truth with absolute divine authority on a wide spectrum of doctrinal and practical topics.  He that God is creator (Matt. 19:4; Mark 10:6; 13:9), king (Matt. 5:35), father (Matt. 5:16; 23:9), and sovereign ruler of heaven and earth “Matt. 11:25; cf. 6:9-10).  He is holy (John 17:11), merciful (Luke 6:36), gracious Ps. 103:8, even to unbelievers [Matt. 5:45]), perfectly righteous (Matt. 5:48; John 17:25), omniscient (Matt. 6:8), and loving (John  14:21, 23; 16:27).”  Now I want to quote all of these verses in the order that they are seen in this paragraph.

God is creator (Matt. 19:4; Mark 10:6; 13:9)

“4  He answered, "Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female,”

“6  But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’’

“9  "But be on your guard. For they will deliver you over to councils, and you will be beaten in synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them.”

king (Matt. 5:35)

“35  or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.”

father (Matt. 5:16; 23:9)

“16  In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.’

“9  And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven.”

sovereign ruler of heaven and earth “Matt. 11:25; cf. 6:9-10)

“  25 ¶  At that time Jesus declared, "I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children;”

“9 ¶  Pray then like this: "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. 10  Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.’

He is holy (John 17:11)

“11 ¶  And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one.”

merciful (Luke 6:36)

“36  Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.”

gracious Ps. 103:8, even to unbelievers [Matt. 5:45])

“8  The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.”

“45  so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.”

perfectly righteous (Matt. 5:48; John 17:25)

“48  You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

“25  O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me.”

and loving (John  14:21, 23; 16:27)

“21  Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.’’

“23  Jesus answered him, "If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.”

“27  for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.”

            It looks like this is going to be another long introduction, as I really want to quote the verses so it brings deeper meaning to what MacArthur is writing.

7/13/2026 8:47 PM 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PT-3 “The Power of Jesus” (Luke 6:18-19)

 

MORNING SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 7/13/2026 9:39 AM

My Worship Time                                                                    Focus:  PT-3 “The Power of Jesus”

Bible Reading & Meditation                                                                 Reference:  Luke 6:18-19

            Message of the verses:  “who had come to hear Him and to be healed of their diseases; and those who were troubled with unclean spirits were being cured.  And all the people were trying to touch Him, for power was coming from Him and healing them all.”

            John MacArthur begins his comments on these verses by stating “The popularity of Jesus was largely the result of His power, displayed in three dimensions.”  I continue looking at these verses in this morning’s SD by quoting the last paragraph from last nights SD.

            “Several significant truths emerge from this brief, but important passage.  First and foremost, Jesus’ unparalleled teaching, miraculous power to heal, and absolute control of the realm of Satan and his demon hosts prove conclusively that He is God.”

            MacArthur then goes on by writing “Second, The Lord of heaven’s earthly ministry provides a preview of heaven.  In that place of supreme joy and bliss, the redeemed will see God face-to-face and know Him to the fullest extent to which finite beings are capable (1 Cor. 13:12).”  “12  For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.”  “All disease, disabilities, death, suffering, sorrow, and pain will be forever banished (Isa. 25:8; Rev. 21:4).”

(Isa. 25:8; Rev. 21:4)

“8  He will swallow up death forever; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the LORD has spoken.”

“4  He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.’’

“Satan and the demons will be permanently incarcerated in hell (Matt. 25:41; Rev. 20:10), and no longer able to afflict or tempt God’s people.”

(Matt. 25:41; Rev. 20:10)

“41  "Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.”

“10  and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.”

            “Third, the way Jesus manifested His power revealed His compassion.  He could have demonstrated His divine power by performing any kind of miraculous act.  But Jesus chose to do things beneficial to suffering, oppressed sinners.  His compassion was a constant theme of His ministry.  Matthew 9:36 notes that Jesus ‘felt compassion for [the people], because they were distressed and dispirited  like sheep without a shepherd.’  On another occasion, ‘He saw a large crowd, and felt compassion for them and healed their sick’ (Matt. 14:14).  When He encountered two blind men, Jesus was ‘moved with compassion [and] touched their eyes; and immediately they regained their sight and followed Him’ (Matt. 20:34).  Jesus once again was ‘moved with compassion [and] stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, ‘I am willing; be cleansed’ (v. 41).  Jesus halted a funeral procession for a widow’s only son and raised him from the dead because ‘He felt compassion for hir’ (Luke 7:13).

            “This passage presents the Lord Jesus Christ as the compassionate and  triumphant teacher, healer, and deliverer.  Clearly divine, He deserves honor, worship, and obedience.  And it is the responsibility of all who are His to go beyond mere curiosity, or even discipleship, and be messengers, taking the truth about Him to the lost world that so desperately needs to hear it (Matt. 28:18-20; Acts 1:8).”

(Matt. 28:18-20; Acts 1:8)

“18  And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19  Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20  teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’’

“8  But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.’’

7/13/2026 10:04 AM

 

 

 

PT-2 “The Power of Jesus” (Luke 6:18-19)

 

EVENING SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 7/12/2026 7:43 PM

My Worship Time                                                                    Focus:  PT-2 “The Power of Jesus”

Bible Reading & Meditation                                                                 Reference:  Luke 6:18-19

            Message of the verses:  “who had come to hear Him and to be healed of their diseases; and those who were troubled with unclean spirits were being cured.  And all the people were trying to touch Him, for power was coming from Him and healing them all.”

            In this morning’s SD we looked at the first of three sections that have to do with these verses from above.  MacArthur wrote “The popularity of Jesus was largely the result of His power, displayed in three dimensions.”  This evening I desire to look at the second dimension, and then Lord willing look at the third in my morning SD for tomorrow.

            Now Jesus also demonstrated power over the physical realm; as He did not only have power over the mind, but also over the body.  Now to verify that He spoke the truth, and to show His compassion, the Lord healed those who were sick of their diseases (cf. 4:38-39; 5:17-25; 6:6-10. Something that we will do now.

(cf. 4:38-39; 5:17-25; 6:6-10.

“38  And he arose and left the synagogue and entered Simon’s house. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was ill with a high fever, and they appealed to him on her behalf. 39  And he stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her, and immediately she rose and began to serve them.”

“17 ¶  On one of those days, as he was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there, who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was with him to heal. 18  And behold, some men were bringing on a bed a man who was paralyzed, and they were seeking to bring him in and lay him before Jesus, 19  but finding no way to bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down with his bed through the tiles into the midst before Jesus. 20  And when he saw their faith, he said, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.” 21  And the scribes and the Pharisees began to question, saying, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 22  When Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answered them, "Why do you question in your hearts? 23  Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? 24  But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins"—he said to the man who was paralyzed—" I say to you, rise, pick up your bed and go home." 25  And immediately he rose up before them and picked up what he had been lying on and went home, glorifying God.”

“6  On another Sabbath, he entered the synagogue and was teaching, and a man was there whose right hand was withered. 7  And the scribes and the Pharisees watched him, to see whether he would heal on the Sabbath, so that they might find a reason to accuse him. 8  But he knew their thoughts, and he said to the man with the withered hand, “Come and stand here.” And he rose and stood there. 9  And Jesus said to them, “I ask you, is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to destroy it?” 10  And after looking around at them all he said to him, “Stretch out your hand.” And he did so, and his hand was restored.”

MacArthur then writes “Unlike modern perverse and selective phony faith healers, He cured all the people who were trying to touch Him, for power was coming from Him and healing them all.  Further, His healings were miracles that required creative power; He created functioning eyes and ears in giving sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf, and the ability to speak to the mute, full function to crippled limbs, healing to incurable illnesses, such as leprosy, and raising the dead required creative power (Luke 7:22).”

(Luke 7:22)

“22  And he answered them, "Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good news preached to them.”

            MacArthur goes on to write “Finally Luke is saying that those who were troubled with unclean spirits were being cured, shows Jesus’ power over the world of spiritual beings.  By casting out demons, Jesus demonstrated His absolute authority over the domain of Satan (cf. 4:33-35, 41).  The Lord answered those who strangely and blasphemously accused Him of casting out demons by the power of Satan by pointing out His obvious supremacy over him:

“If I cast out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.  When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions are undisturbed.  But when someone stronger than he attacks him and overpowers him, he takes away from him all his armor on which he had relied and distributes his plunder.” (11:20-22)

“Jesus’ power was comprehensive.  He was able to minister to the mind by teaching the truth, the body by healing diseases, and the soul by casting out demons.

            “Several significant truths emerge from this brief, but important passage.  First and foremost, Jesus’ unparalleled teaching, miraculous power to heal, and absolute control of the realm of Satan and his demon hosts prove conclusively that He is God.”

            This is where I will end my evening SD.

7/12/2026 9:08 PM