MORNING SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 9/7/2026
9:55 AM
My
Worship Time Focus: “The
Scope of Jesus’ Ministry Was Limited Materially”
Bible
Reading & Meditation Reference: Luke
8:3b
Message of the verse: “and many others who were contributing
to their support out of their private means.”
This morning I have come to the end of the 19th
chapter from John MacArthur’s commentary on the Gospel of Luke which covers the
first three verses in the eight chapter of Luke.
In yesterday’s SD we were looking at
some of the women who were supporting the ministry of Jesus, and this morning
we will see that in addition to the woman mentioned in my last SD there were many
others, both men and women, that supported Christ’s ministry by contributing
to their, speaking of Jesus and the Twelve, support out of their private
means. Jesus’ ministry depended on
the small contributions of others whose lives He had changed, and I think that
is still the pattern in todays Church.
The disciples had left everything to follow Him as seen in Matthew (19:27),
and this included their professions (Mark 1:20; Luke 5:28) and their homes
(Luke 18:28).
(Matt. 19:27)
“27 Then Peter said in reply, “See, we have left
everything and followed you. What then will we have?”
(Mark 1:20; Luke 5:28)
20 And immediately he called them, and they left
their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him.”
“28 And leaving everything, he rose and followed
him.”
(Luke 18:28)
“28 And Peter said, “See, we have left our homes
and followed you.”
MacArthur
writes “Jesus Himself had ‘nowhere to lay His head’ (Luke 9:58), and at the
time of His death owned nothing but the clothes He wore (Luke 23:34).”
(Luke 23:34)
34 And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for
they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments.”
“The
meager contributions they received were generous enough that Jesus and the
Twelve were able to contribute to the poor (John 13:29).”
(John 13:29)
“29 Some thought that, because Judas had the
moneybag, Jesus was telling him, “Buy what we need for the feast,” or that he
should give something to the poor.”
“None of
them personally prospered, as the frustration of Judas evidences (John 12:1-6).”
(John 12:1-6)
“1 ¶ Six days before the Passover, Jesus therefore
came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served,
and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table. 3 Mary therefore took a pound of expensive
ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet
with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 4 But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he
who was about to betray him), said, 5 “Why
was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?”
6 He said this, not because he cared
about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag
he used to help himself to what was put into it.”
“The Lord’s ministry demonstrates
the biblical principle that ‘those who proclaim the gospel [are] to get their
living from the gospel’ (1 Cor. 9:14; cf. Luke 10:7; 1 Tim. 5:17-18).”
(1 Cor. 9:14; cf. Luke 10:7; 1 Tim.
5:17-18)
“14 In the same way, the Lord commanded that
those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel.”
“7 And remain in the same house, eating and
drinking what they provide, for the laborer deserves his wages. Do not go from
house to house.”
“17 ¶ Let the elders who rule well be considered
worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.
18 For the Scripture says, “You shall
not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his
wages.”
“Therefore
‘the one who is taught the word is to share all good things with the one who
teaches him’ (Gal. 6:6). That does not
repay believers’ debt to God. The debt
of sin they could never pay has been paid in full by the death of the Lord Jesus
Christ (Col. 2:13-14) and they no longer owe it.”
(Col. 2:13-14)
“13 ¶ And you, who were dead in your trespasses and
the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having
forgiven us all our trespasses, 14 by canceling
the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set
aside, nailing it to the cross.”
“But
transformed by God’s grace Christians, out of love and gratitude, seek to
imitate the sacrificial loving grace He bestowed on them.
“The Lord Jesus Christ carried out
God’s sovereign will, ministered where God placed Him, proclaimed God’s
message, poured Himself into discipling a few faithful men, embraced both men
and women from all walks of life, and depended on the contributions of those
who had benefited from His ministry. He
is the perfect model for all those who serve Him in gratitude and love.”
Spiritual
Meaning for my Life Today: I like the statement that says that believers
cannot do anything to gain their salvation on their own, but once they are
saved then they are to support the church where God puts them. I did not go to church for four years after I
became a believer, but then after that I knew that God wanted me in a
church. I suppose that many unbelievers
are saved in a church setting but that was not the case for me, however I was
attending Bible studies at a Christian book store and had fellowship there for
the first four years after becoming a believer.
I am thankful to the Lord for His patience that He had with me.
My
Steps of Faith for Today: I am trusting the Lord to continue to guide
me, to give me strength to just get up each morning and try to do what He is
leading me to do for the cause of Christ.
I am going through the most difficult time in my life right now, yet I
know that the homegoing of my dear wife was all in the plans of God, yet it has
left a very large hole in my life, but I continue to trust the Lord to show me
what the next steps will be in my life.
9/7/2026
10:54 AM
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