mkines

Luke 12:1 In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.Luke 12:2 For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known.Luke 12:3 Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.Luke 12:4 And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.Luke 12:5 But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.Luke 12:6 Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?Luke 12:7 But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.Luke 12:8 Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God:Luke 12:9 But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God.Luke 12:10 And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven.Luke 12:11 And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say:Luke 12:12 For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.Luke 12:13 And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me.Luke 12:14 And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you?Luke 12:15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.Luke 12:16 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:Luke 12:17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?Luke 12:18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.Luke 12:19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.Luke 12:20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?Luke 12:21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.Luke 12:22 And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on.Luke 12:23 The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment.Luke 12:24 Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?Luke 12:25 And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit?Luke 12:26 If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest?Luke 12:27 Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.Luke 12:28 If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?Luke 12:29 And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.Luke 12:30 For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.Luke 12:31 But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.Luke 12:32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.Luke 12:33 Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.Luke 12:34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.Luke 12:35 Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning;Luke 12:36 And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately.Luke 12:37 Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.Luke 12:38 And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants.Luke 12:39 And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through.Luke 12:40 Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.Luke 12:41 Then Peter said unto him, Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even to all?Luke 12:42 And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?Luke 12:43 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.Luke 12:44 Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath.Luke 12:45 But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken;Luke 12:46 The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.Luke 12:47 And that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.Luke 12:48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.Luke 12:49 I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?Luke 12:50 But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!Luke 12:51 Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:Luke 12:52 For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three.Luke 12:53 The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.Luke 12:54 And he said also to the people, When ye see a cloud rise out of the west, straightway ye say, There cometh a shower; and so it is.Luke 12:55 And when ye see the south wind blow, ye say, There will be heat; and it cometh to pass.Luke 12:56 Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth; but how is it that ye do not discern this time?Luke 12:57 Yea, and why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right?Luke 12:58 When thou goest with thine adversary to the magistrate, as thou art in the way, give diligence that thou mayest be delivered from him; lest he hale thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and the officer cast thee into prison.Luke 12:59 I tell thee, thou shalt not depart thence, till thou hast paid the very last mite. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mikekines.substack.com

Luke 12:1 In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.Luke 12:2 For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known.Luke 12:3 Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.Luke 12:4 And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.Luke 12:5 But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.Luke 12:6 Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?Luke 12:7 But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.Luke 12:8 Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God:Luke 12:9 But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God.Luke 12:10 And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven.Luke 12:11 And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say:Luke 12:12 For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.Luke 12:13 And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me.Luke 12:14 And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you?Luke 12:15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.Luke 12:16 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:Luke 12:17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?Luke 12:18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.Luke 12:19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.Luke 12:20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?Luke 12:21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.Luke 12:22 And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on.Luke 12:23 The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment.Luke 12:24 Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?Luke 12:25 And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit?Luke 12:26 If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest?Luke 12:27 Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.Luke 12:28 If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?Luke 12:29 And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.Luke 12:30 For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.Luke 12:31 But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.Luke 12:32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.Luke 12:33 Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.Luke 12:34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.Luke 12:35 Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning;Luke 12:36 And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately.Luke 12:37 Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.Luke 12:38 And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants.Luke 12:39 And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through.Luke 12:40 Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.Luke 12:41 Then Peter said unto him, Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even to all?Luke 12:42 And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?Luke 12:43 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.Luke 12:44 Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath.Luke 12:45 But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken;Luke 12:46 The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.Luke 12:47 And that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.Luke 12:48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.Luke 12:49 I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?Luke 12:50 But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!Luke 12:51 Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:Luke 12:52 For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three.Luke 12:53 The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.Luke 12:54 And he said also to the people, When ye see a cloud rise out of the west, straightway ye say, There cometh a shower; and so it is.Luke 12:55 And when ye see the south wind blow, ye say, There will be heat; and it cometh to pass.Luke 12:56 Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth; but how is it that ye do not discern this time?Luke 12:57 Yea, and why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right?Luke 12:58 When thou goest with thine adversary to the magistrate, as thou art in the way, give diligence that thou mayest be delivered from him; lest he hale thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and the officer cast thee into prison.Luke 12:59 I tell thee, thou shalt not depart thence, till thou hast paid the very last mite. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mikekines.substack.com

Luke 12:1 In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.Luke 12:2 For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known.Luke 12:3 Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.Luke 12:4 And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.Luke 12:5 But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.Luke 12:6 Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?Luke 12:7 But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.Luke 12:8 Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God:Luke 12:9 But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God.Luke 12:10 And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven.Luke 12:11 And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say:Luke 12:12 For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.Luke 12:13 And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me.Luke 12:14 And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you?Luke 12:15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.Luke 12:16 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:Luke 12:17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?Luke 12:18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.Luke 12:19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.Luke 12:20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?Luke 12:21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.Luke 12:22 And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on.Luke 12:23 The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment.Luke 12:24 Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?Luke 12:25 And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit?Luke 12:26 If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest?Luke 12:27 Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.Luke 12:28 If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?Luke 12:29 And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.Luke 12:30 For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.Luke 12:31 But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.Luke 12:32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.Luke 12:33 Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.Luke 12:34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.Luke 12:35 Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning;Luke 12:36 And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately.Luke 12:37 Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.Luke 12:38 And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants.Luke 12:39 And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through.Luke 12:40 Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.Luke 12:41 Then Peter said unto him, Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even to all?Luke 12:42 And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?Luke 12:43 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.Luke 12:44 Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath.Luke 12:45 But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken;Luke 12:46 The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.Luke 12:47 And that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.Luke 12:48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.Luke 12:49 I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?Luke 12:50 But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!Luke 12:51 Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:Luke 12:52 For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three.Luke 12:53 The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.Luke 12:54 And he said also to the people, When ye see a cloud rise out of the west, straightway ye say, There cometh a shower; and so it is.Luke 12:55 And when ye see the south wind blow, ye say, There will be heat; and it cometh to pass.Luke 12:56 Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth; but how is it that ye do not discern this time?Luke 12:57 Yea, and why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right?Luke 12:58 When thou goest with thine adversary to the magistrate, as thou art in the way, give diligence that thou mayest be delivered from him; lest he hale thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and the officer cast thee into prison.Luke 12:59 I tell thee, thou shalt not depart thence, till thou hast paid the very last mite. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mikekines.substack.com

Luke 12:1 In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.Luke 12:2 For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known.Luke 12:3 Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.Luke 12:4 And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.Luke 12:5 But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.Luke 12:6 Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?Luke 12:7 But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.Luke 12:8 Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God:Luke 12:9 But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God.Luke 12:10 And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven.Luke 12:11 And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say:Luke 12:12 For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.Luke 12:13 And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me.Luke 12:14 And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you?Luke 12:15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.Luke 12:16 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:Luke 12:17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?Luke 12:18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.Luke 12:19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.Luke 12:20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?Luke 12:21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.Luke 12:22 And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on.Luke 12:23 The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment.Luke 12:24 Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?Luke 12:25 And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit?Luke 12:26 If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest?Luke 12:27 Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.Luke 12:28 If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?Luke 12:29 And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.Luke 12:30 For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.Luke 12:31 But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.Luke 12:32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.Luke 12:33 Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.Luke 12:34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.Luke 12:35 Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning;Luke 12:36 And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately.Luke 12:37 Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.Luke 12:38 And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants.Luke 12:39 And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through.Luke 12:40 Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.Luke 12:41 Then Peter said unto him, Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even to all?Luke 12:42 And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?Luke 12:43 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.Luke 12:44 Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath.Luke 12:45 But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken;Luke 12:46 The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.Luke 12:47 And that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.Luke 12:48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.Luke 12:49 I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?Luke 12:50 But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!Luke 12:51 Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:Luke 12:52 For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three.Luke 12:53 The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.Luke 12:54 And he said also to the people, When ye see a cloud rise out of the west, straightway ye say, There cometh a shower; and so it is.Luke 12:55 And when ye see the south wind blow, ye say, There will be heat; and it cometh to pass.Luke 12:56 Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth; but how is it that ye do not discern this time?Luke 12:57 Yea, and why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right?Luke 12:58 When thou goest with thine adversary to the magistrate, as thou art in the way, give diligence that thou mayest be delivered from him; lest he hale thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and the officer cast thee into prison.Luke 12:59 I tell thee, thou shalt not depart thence, till thou hast paid the very last mite. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mikekines.substack.com

Luke 11:1 And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.Luke 11:2 And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.Luke 11:3 Give us day by day our daily bread.Luke 11:4 And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.Luke 11:5 And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves;Luke 11:6 For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him?Luke 11:7 And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee.Luke 11:8 I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.Luke 11:9 And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.Luke 11:10 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.Luke 11:11 If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?Luke 11:12 Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?Luke 11:13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?Luke 11:14 And he was casting out a devil, and it was dumb. And it came to pass, when the devil was gone out, the dumb spake; and the people wondered.Luke 11:15 But some of them said, He casteth out devils through Beelzebub the chief of the devils.Luke 11:16 And others, tempting him, sought of him a sign from heaven.Luke 11:17 But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falleth.Luke 11:18 If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub.Luke 11:19 And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your sons cast them out? therefore shall they be your judges.Luke 11:20 But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you.Luke 11:21 When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace:Luke 11:22 But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils.Luke 11:23 He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.Luke 11:24 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out.Luke 11:25 And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished.Luke 11:26 Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first.Luke 11:27 And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked.Luke 11:28 But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.Luke 11:29 And when the people were gathered thick together, he began to say, This is an evil generation: they seek a sign; and there shall no sign be given it, but the sign of Jonas the prophet.Luke 11:30 For as Jonas was a sign unto the Ninevites, so shall also the Son of man be to this generation.Luke 11:31 The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation, and condemn them: for she came from the utmost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.Luke 11:32 The men of Nineve shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.Luke 11:33 No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light.Luke 11:34 The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness.Luke 11:35 Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness.Luke 11:36 If thy whole body therefore be full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light.Luke 11:37 And as he spake, a certain Pharisee besought him to dine with him: and he went in, and sat down to meat.Luke 11:38 And when the Pharisee saw it, he marvelled that he had not first washed before dinner.Luke 11:39 And the Lord said unto him, Now do ye Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness.Luke 11:40 Ye fools, did not he that made that which is without make that which is within also?Luke 11:41 But rather give alms of such things as ye have; and, behold, all things are clean unto you.Luke 11:42 But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.Luke 11:43 Woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye love the uppermost seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets.Luke 11:44 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are as graves which appear not, and the men that walk over them are not aware of them.Luke 11:45 Then answered one of the lawyers, and said unto him, Master, thus saying thou reproachest us also.Luke 11:46 And he said, Woe unto you also, ye lawyers! for ye lade men with burdens grievous to be borne, and ye yourselves touch not the burdens with one of your fingers.Luke 11:47 Woe unto you! for ye build the sepulchres of the prophets, and your fathers killed them.Luke 11:48 Truly ye bear witness that ye allow the deeds of your fathers: for they indeed killed them, and ye build their sepulchres.Luke 11:49 Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute:Luke 11:50 That the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation;Luke 11:51 From the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zacharias, which perished between the altar and the temple: verily I say unto you, It shall be required of this generation.Luke 11:52 Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered.Luke 11:53 And as he said these things unto them, the scribes and the Pharisees began to urge him vehemently, and to provoke him to speak of many things:Luke 11:54 Laying wait for him, and seeking to catch something out of his mouth, that they might accuse him. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mikekines.substack.com

Luke 11:1 And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.Luke 11:2 And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.Luke 11:3 Give us day by day our daily bread.Luke 11:4 And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.Luke 11:5 And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves;Luke 11:6 For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him?Luke 11:7 And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee.Luke 11:8 I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.Luke 11:9 And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.Luke 11:10 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.Luke 11:11 If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?Luke 11:12 Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?Luke 11:13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?Luke 11:14 And he was casting out a devil, and it was dumb. And it came to pass, when the devil was gone out, the dumb spake; and the people wondered.Luke 11:15 But some of them said, He casteth out devils through Beelzebub the chief of the devils.Luke 11:16 And others, tempting him, sought of him a sign from heaven.Luke 11:17 But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falleth.Luke 11:18 If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub.Luke 11:19 And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your sons cast them out? therefore shall they be your judges.Luke 11:20 But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you.Luke 11:21 When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace:Luke 11:22 But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils.Luke 11:23 He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.Luke 11:24 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out.Luke 11:25 And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished.Luke 11:26 Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first.Luke 11:27 And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked.Luke 11:28 But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.Luke 11:29 And when the people were gathered thick together, he began to say, This is an evil generation: they seek a sign; and there shall no sign be given it, but the sign of Jonas the prophet.Luke 11:30 For as Jonas was a sign unto the Ninevites, so shall also the Son of man be to this generation.Luke 11:31 The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation, and condemn them: for she came from the utmost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.Luke 11:32 The men of Nineve shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.Luke 11:33 No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light.Luke 11:34 The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness.Luke 11:35 Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness.Luke 11:36 If thy whole body therefore be full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light.Luke 11:37 And as he spake, a certain Pharisee besought him to dine with him: and he went in, and sat down to meat.Luke 11:38 And when the Pharisee saw it, he marvelled that he had not first washed before dinner.Luke 11:39 And the Lord said unto him, Now do ye Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness.Luke 11:40 Ye fools, did not he that made that which is without make that which is within also?Luke 11:41 But rather give alms of such things as ye have; and, behold, all things are clean unto you.Luke 11:42 But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.Luke 11:43 Woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye love the uppermost seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets.Luke 11:44 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are as graves which appear not, and the men that walk over them are not aware of them.Luke 11:45 Then answered one of the lawyers, and said unto him, Master, thus saying thou reproachest us also.Luke 11:46 And he said, Woe unto you also, ye lawyers! for ye lade men with burdens grievous to be borne, and ye yourselves touch not the burdens with one of your fingers.Luke 11:47 Woe unto you! for ye build the sepulchres of the prophets, and your fathers killed them.Luke 11:48 Truly ye bear witness that ye allow the deeds of your fathers: for they indeed killed them, and ye build their sepulchres.Luke 11:49 Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute:Luke 11:50 That the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation;Luke 11:51 From the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zacharias, which perished between the altar and the temple: verily I say unto you, It shall be required of this generation.Luke 11:52 Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered.Luke 11:53 And as he said these things unto them, the scribes and the Pharisees began to urge him vehemently, and to provoke him to speak of many things:Luke 11:54 Laying wait for him, and seeking to catch something out of his mouth, that they might accuse him. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mikekines.substack.com

Luke 11:1 And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.Luke 11:2 And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.Luke 11:3 Give us day by day our daily bread.Luke 11:4 And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.Luke 11:5 And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves;Luke 11:6 For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him?Luke 11:7 And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee.Luke 11:8 I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.Luke 11:9 And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.Luke 11:10 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.Luke 11:11 If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?Luke 11:12 Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?Luke 11:13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?Luke 11:14 And he was casting out a devil, and it was dumb. And it came to pass, when the devil was gone out, the dumb spake; and the people wondered.Luke 11:15 But some of them said, He casteth out devils through Beelzebub the chief of the devils.Luke 11:16 And others, tempting him, sought of him a sign from heaven.Luke 11:17 But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falleth.Luke 11:18 If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub.Luke 11:19 And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your sons cast them out? therefore shall they be your judges.Luke 11:20 But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you.Luke 11:21 When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace:Luke 11:22 But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils.Luke 11:23 He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.Luke 11:24 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out.Luke 11:25 And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished.Luke 11:26 Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first.Luke 11:27 And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked.Luke 11:28 But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.Luke 11:29 And when the people were gathered thick together, he began to say, This is an evil generation: they seek a sign; and there shall no sign be given it, but the sign of Jonas the prophet.Luke 11:30 For as Jonas was a sign unto the Ninevites, so shall also the Son of man be to this generation.Luke 11:31 The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation, and condemn them: for she came from the utmost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.Luke 11:32 The men of Nineve shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.Luke 11:33 No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light.Luke 11:34 The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness.Luke 11:35 Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness.Luke 11:36 If thy whole body therefore be full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light.Luke 11:37 And as he spake, a certain Pharisee besought him to dine with him: and he went in, and sat down to meat.Luke 11:38 And when the Pharisee saw it, he marvelled that he had not first washed before dinner.Luke 11:39 And the Lord said unto him, Now do ye Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness.Luke 11:40 Ye fools, did not he that made that which is without make that which is within also?Luke 11:41 But rather give alms of such things as ye have; and, behold, all things are clean unto you.Luke 11:42 But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.Luke 11:43 Woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye love the uppermost seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets.Luke 11:44 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are as graves which appear not, and the men that walk over them are not aware of them.Luke 11:45 Then answered one of the lawyers, and said unto him, Master, thus saying thou reproachest us also.Luke 11:46 And he said, Woe unto you also, ye lawyers! for ye lade men with burdens grievous to be borne, and ye yourselves touch not the burdens with one of your fingers.Luke 11:47 Woe unto you! for ye build the sepulchres of the prophets, and your fathers killed them.Luke 11:48 Truly ye bear witness that ye allow the deeds of your fathers: for they indeed killed them, and ye build their sepulchres.Luke 11:49 Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute:Luke 11:50 That the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation;Luke 11:51 From the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zacharias, which perished between the altar and the temple: verily I say unto you, It shall be required of this generation.Luke 11:52 Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered.Luke 11:53 And as he said these things unto them, the scribes and the Pharisees began to urge him vehemently, and to provoke him to speak of many things:Luke 11:54 Laying wait for him, and seeking to catch something out of his mouth, that they might accuse him.Luke 12:1 In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mikekines.substack.com

Luke 11:1 And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.Luke 11:2 And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.Luke 11:3 Give us day by day our daily bread.Luke 11:4 And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.Luke 11:5 And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves;Luke 11:6 For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him?Luke 11:7 And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee.Luke 11:8 I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.Luke 11:9 And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.Luke 11:10 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.Luke 11:11 If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?Luke 11:12 Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?Luke 11:13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?Luke 11:14 And he was casting out a devil, and it was dumb. And it came to pass, when the devil was gone out, the dumb spake; and the people wondered.Luke 11:15 But some of them said, He casteth out devils through Beelzebub the chief of the devils.Luke 11:16 And others, tempting him, sought of him a sign from heaven.Luke 11:17 But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falleth.Luke 11:18 If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub.Luke 11:19 And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your sons cast them out? therefore shall they be your judges.Luke 11:20 But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you.Luke 11:21 When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace:Luke 11:22 But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils.Luke 11:23 He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.Luke 11:24 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out.Luke 11:25 And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished.Luke 11:26 Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first.Luke 11:27 And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked.Luke 11:28 But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.Luke 11:29 And when the people were gathered thick together, he began to say, This is an evil generation: they seek a sign; and there shall no sign be given it, but the sign of Jonas the prophet.Luke 11:30 For as Jonas was a sign unto the Ninevites, so shall also the Son of man be to this generation.Luke 11:31 The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation, and condemn them: for she came from the utmost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.Luke 11:32 The men of Nineve shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.Luke 11:33 No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light.Luke 11:34 The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness.Luke 11:35 Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness.Luke 11:36 If thy whole body therefore be full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light.Luke 11:37 And as he spake, a certain Pharisee besought him to dine with him: and he went in, and sat down to meat.Luke 11:38 And when the Pharisee saw it, he marvelled that he had not first washed before dinner.Luke 11:39 And the Lord said unto him, Now do ye Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness.Luke 11:40 Ye fools, did not he that made that which is without make that which is within also?Luke 11:41 But rather give alms of such things as ye have; and, behold, all things are clean unto you.Luke 11:42 But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.Luke 11:43 Woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye love the uppermost seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets.Luke 11:44 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are as graves which appear not, and the men that walk over them are not aware of them.Luke 11:45 Then answered one of the lawyers, and said unto him, Master, thus saying thou reproachest us also.Luke 11:46 And he said, Woe unto you also, ye lawyers! for ye lade men with burdens grievous to be borne, and ye yourselves touch not the burdens with one of your fingers.Luke 11:47 Woe unto you! for ye build the sepulchres of the prophets, and your fathers killed them.Luke 11:48 Truly ye bear witness that ye allow the deeds of your fathers: for they indeed killed them, and ye build their sepulchres.Luke 11:49 Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute:Luke 11:50 That the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation;Luke 11:51 From the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zacharias, which perished between the altar and the temple: verily I say unto you, It shall be required of this generation.Luke 11:52 Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered.Luke 11:53 And as he said these things unto them, the scribes and the Pharisees began to urge him vehemently, and to provoke him to speak of many things:Luke 11:54 Laying wait for him, and seeking to catch something out of his mouth, that they might accuse him. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mikekines.substack.com

Luke 10:1 After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.Luke 10:2 Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.Luke 10:3 Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves.Luke 10:4 Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way.Luke 10:5 And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house.Luke 10:6 And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again.Luke 10:7 And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.Luke 10:8 And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you:Luke 10:9 And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.Luke 10:10 But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say,Luke 10:11 Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.Luke 10:12 But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city.Luke 10:13 Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been done in you, they had a great while ago repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.Luke 10:14 But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment, than for you.Luke 10:15 And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell.Luke 10:16 He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me.Luke 10:17 And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.Luke 10:18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.Luke 10:19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.Luke 10:20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.Luke 10:21 In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.Luke 10:22 All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him.Luke 10:23 And he turned him unto his disciples, and said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see:Luke 10:24 For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.Luke 10:25 And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?Luke 10:26 He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?Luke 10:27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.Luke 10:28 And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.Luke 10:29 But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?Luke 10:30 And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.Luke 10:31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.Luke 10:32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.Luke 10:33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,Luke 10:34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.Luke 10:35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.Luke 10:36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?Luke 10:37 And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.Luke 10:38 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.Luke 10:39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.Luke 10:40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.Luke 10:41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:Luke 10:42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mikekines.substack.com

Luke 10:1 After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.Luke 10:2 Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.Luke 10:3 Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves.Luke 10:4 Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way.Luke 10:5 And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house.Luke 10:6 And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again.Luke 10:7 And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.Luke 10:8 And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you:Luke 10:9 And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.Luke 10:10 But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say,Luke 10:11 Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.Luke 10:12 But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city.Luke 10:13 Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been done in you, they had a great while ago repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.Luke 10:14 But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment, than for you.Luke 10:15 And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell.Luke 10:16 He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me.Luke 10:17 And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.Luke 10:18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.Luke 10:19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.Luke 10:20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.Luke 10:21 In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.Luke 10:22 All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him.Luke 10:23 And he turned him unto his disciples, and said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see:Luke 10:24 For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.Luke 10:25 And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?Luke 10:26 He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?Luke 10:27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.Luke 10:28 And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.Luke 10:29 But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?Luke 10:30 And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.Luke 10:31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.Luke 10:32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.Luke 10:33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,Luke 10:34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.Luke 10:35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.Luke 10:36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?Luke 10:37 And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.Luke 10:38 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.Luke 10:39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.Luke 10:40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.Luke 10:41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:Luke 10:42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mikekines.substack.com

Luke 10:1 After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.Luke 10:2 Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.Luke 10:3 Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves.Luke 10:4 Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way.Luke 10:5 And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house.Luke 10:6 And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again.Luke 10:7 And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.Luke 10:8 And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you:Luke 10:9 And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.Luke 10:10 But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say,Luke 10:11 Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.Luke 10:12 But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city.Luke 10:13 Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been done in you, they had a great while ago repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.Luke 10:14 But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment, than for you.Luke 10:15 And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell.Luke 10:16 He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me.Luke 10:17 And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.Luke 10:18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.Luke 10:19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.Luke 10:20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.Luke 10:21 In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.Luke 10:22 All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him.Luke 10:23 And he turned him unto his disciples, and said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see:Luke 10:24 For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.Luke 10:25 And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?Luke 10:26 He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?Luke 10:27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.Luke 10:28 And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.Luke 10:29 But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?Luke 10:30 And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.Luke 10:31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.Luke 10:32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.Luke 10:33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,Luke 10:34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.Luke 10:35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.Luke 10:36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?Luke 10:37 And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.Luke 10:38 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.Luke 10:39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.Luke 10:40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.Luke 10:41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:Luke 10:42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mikekines.substack.com

Luke 10:1 After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.Luke 10:2 Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.Luke 10:3 Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves.Luke 10:4 Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way.Luke 10:5 And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house.Luke 10:6 And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again.Luke 10:7 And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.Luke 10:8 And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you:Luke 10:9 And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.Luke 10:10 But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say,Luke 10:11 Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.Luke 10:12 But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city.Luke 10:13 Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been done in you, they had a great while ago repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.Luke 10:14 But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment, than for you.Luke 10:15 And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell.Luke 10:16 He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me.Luke 10:17 And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.Luke 10:18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.Luke 10:19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.Luke 10:20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.Luke 10:21 In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.Luke 10:22 All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him.Luke 10:23 And he turned him unto his disciples, and said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see:Luke 10:24 For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.Luke 10:25 And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?Luke 10:26 He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?Luke 10:27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.Luke 10:28 And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.Luke 10:29 But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?Luke 10:30 And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.Luke 10:31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.Luke 10:32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.Luke 10:33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,Luke 10:34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.Luke 10:35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.Luke 10:36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?Luke 10:37 And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.Luke 10:38 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.Luke 10:39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.Luke 10:40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.Luke 10:41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:Luke 10:42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mikekines.substack.com

Luke 9:1-62(1)  Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.(2)  And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.(3)  And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece.(4)  And whatsoever house ye enter into, there abide, and thence depart.(5)  And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them.(6)  And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing every where.(7)  Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done by him: and he was perplexed, because that it was said of some, that John was risen from the dead;(8)  And of some, that Elias had appeared; and of others, that one of the old prophets was risen again.(9)  And Herod said, John have I beheaded: but who is this, of whom I hear such things? And he desired to see him.(10)  And the apostles, when they were returned, told him all that they had done. And he took them, and went aside privately into a desert place belonging to the city called Bethsaida.(11)  And the people, when they knew it, followed him: and he received them, and spake unto them of the kingdom of God, and healed them that had need of healing.(12)  And when the day began to wear away, then came the twelve, and said unto him, Send the multitude away, that they may go into the towns and country round about, and lodge, and get victuals: for we are here in a desert place.(13)  But he said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they said, We have no more but five loaves and two fishes; except we should go and buy meat for all this people.(14)  For they were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, Make them sit down by fifties in a company.(15)  And they did so, and made them all sit down.(16)  Then he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed them, and brake, and gave to the disciples to set before the multitude.(17)  And they did eat, and were all filled: and there was taken up of fragments that remained to them twelve baskets.(18)  And it came to pass, as he was alone praying, his disciples were with him: and he asked them, saying, Whom say the people that I am?(19)  They answering said, John the Baptist; but some say, Elias; and others say, that one of the old prophets is risen again.(20)  He said unto them, But whom say ye that I am? Peter answering said, The Christ of God.(21)  And he straitly charged them, and commanded them to tell no man that thing;(22)  Saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day.(23)  And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.(24)  For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.(25)  For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?(26)  For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels.(27)  But I tell you of a truth, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God.(28)  And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray.(29)  And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering.(30)  And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias:(31)  Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.(32)  But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him.(33)  And it came to pass, as they departed from him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias: not knowing what he said.(34)  While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud.(35)  And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.(36)  And when the voice was past, Jesus was found alone. And they kept it close, and told no man in those days any of those things which they had seen.(37)  And it came to pass, that on the next day, when they were come down from the hill, much people met him.(38)  And, behold, a man of the company cried out, saying, Master, I beseech thee, look upon my son: for he is mine only child.(39)  And, lo, a spirit taketh him, and he suddenly crieth out; and it teareth him that he foameth again, and bruising him hardly departeth from him.(40)  And I besought thy disciples to cast him out; and they could not.(41)  And Jesus answering said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you, and suffer you? Bring thy son hither.(42)  And as he was yet a coming, the devil threw him down, and tare him. And Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the child, and delivered him again to his father.(43)  And they were all amazed at the mighty power of God. But while they wondered every one at all things which Jesus did, he said unto his disciples,(44)  Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men.(45)  But they understood not this saying, and it was hid from them, that they perceived it not: and they feared to ask him of that saying.(46)  Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest.(47)  And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by him,(48)  And said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great.(49)  And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us.(50)  And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us.(51)  And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem,(52)  And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him.(53)  And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem.(54)  And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?(55)  But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.(56)  For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.(57)  And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.(58)  And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.(59)  And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.(60)  Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.(61)  And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.(62)  And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mikekines.substack.com

Luke 9:1-62(1)  Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.(2)  And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.(3)  And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece.(4)  And whatsoever house ye enter into, there abide, and thence depart.(5)  And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them.(6)  And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing every where.(7)  Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done by him: and he was perplexed, because that it was said of some, that John was risen from the dead;(8)  And of some, that Elias had appeared; and of others, that one of the old prophets was risen again.(9)  And Herod said, John have I beheaded: but who is this, of whom I hear such things? And he desired to see him.(10)  And the apostles, when they were returned, told him all that they had done. And he took them, and went aside privately into a desert place belonging to the city called Bethsaida.(11)  And the people, when they knew it, followed him: and he received them, and spake unto them of the kingdom of God, and healed them that had need of healing.(12)  And when the day began to wear away, then came the twelve, and said unto him, Send the multitude away, that they may go into the towns and country round about, and lodge, and get victuals: for we are here in a desert place.(13)  But he said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they said, We have no more but five loaves and two fishes; except we should go and buy meat for all this people.(14)  For they were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, Make them sit down by fifties in a company.(15)  And they did so, and made them all sit down.(16)  Then he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed them, and brake, and gave to the disciples to set before the multitude.(17)  And they did eat, and were all filled: and there was taken up of fragments that remained to them twelve baskets.(18)  And it came to pass, as he was alone praying, his disciples were with him: and he asked them, saying, Whom say the people that I am?(19)  They answering said, John the Baptist; but some say, Elias; and others say, that one of the old prophets is risen again.(20)  He said unto them, But whom say ye that I am? Peter answering said, The Christ of God.(21)  And he straitly charged them, and commanded them to tell no man that thing;(22)  Saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day.(23)  And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.(24)  For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.(25)  For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?(26)  For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels.(27)  But I tell you of a truth, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God.(28)  And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray.(29)  And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering.(30)  And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias:(31)  Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.(32)  But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him.(33)  And it came to pass, as they departed from him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias: not knowing what he said.(34)  While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud.(35)  And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.(36)  And when the voice was past, Jesus was found alone. And they kept it close, and told no man in those days any of those things which they had seen.(37)  And it came to pass, that on the next day, when they were come down from the hill, much people met him.(38)  And, behold, a man of the company cried out, saying, Master, I beseech thee, look upon my son: for he is mine only child.(39)  And, lo, a spirit taketh him, and he suddenly crieth out; and it teareth him that he foameth again, and bruising him hardly departeth from him.(40)  And I besought thy disciples to cast him out; and they could not.(41)  And Jesus answering said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you, and suffer you? Bring thy son hither.(42)  And as he was yet a coming, the devil threw him down, and tare him. And Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the child, and delivered him again to his father.(43)  And they were all amazed at the mighty power of God. But while they wondered every one at all things which Jesus did, he said unto his disciples,(44)  Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men.(45)  But they understood not this saying, and it was hid from them, that they perceived it not: and they feared to ask him of that saying.(46)  Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest.(47)  And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by him,(48)  And said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great.(49)  And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us.(50)  And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us.(51)  And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem,(52)  And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him.(53)  And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem.(54)  And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?(55)  But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.(56)  For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.(57)  And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.(58)  And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.(59)  And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.(60)  Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.(61)  And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.(62)  And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mikekines.substack.com

Luke 9:46-62 (3)Luke 9:46-50The natural man compares himself with his peers to see if he is better than others. This is natural human nature. Comparison leads to pride or envy. It leads to strife and division. In God's kingdom there is no strife, or envy, or division. How is this accomplished? The one who is least of all is the greatest. The weak, the base, and those who are nobody are chosen by God.1 Corinthians 1:26-29, "For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence."The natural human desire of wanting to be great caused people to want to exclude others. Whereas the Lord Jesus says "come unto me" it was the attitude of natural man to say "go away" and to exclude people. This is what we see happening in the next verses where the disciples tried to stop someone else from participating in ministry work because they were not part of their group of disciples. This attitude is still with us today. It is why, in my opinion, so many people leave the church and never come back. They find no place where they can participate and express the gifts which God gave them.We need a radical change in our church culture. We need to see things from the perspective of God's kingdom. Those who are least among us are the greatest. We should not seek to exalt the names of men. We should not seek to elevate men with titles and positions. Instead, we should all pull up a chair in a circle and seek to edify and exhort and comfort one another as brothers and sisters in Christ.Luke 9:51-56The Lord Jesus rebuked his disciples for asking if they should call down fire from heaven and destroy a village. The Lord Jesus told them that he did not come to destroy men's lives but to save them. The Lord Jesus saves lives. They did not understand his mission at all. This showed that his own disciples who were with him for those three years of ministry did not really perceive his true mission and goal.The Samaritans resisted the direction which the Lord Jesus headed. They put up a roadblock. His disciples did not understand his mission and they offered alternatives which were contrary to his purpose. However, the Lord Jesus continued to go forward in obedience to his heavenly Father.Underline the phrase "when the time was come that he should be received up". What does this mean? A simple application here is that there is a season for everything in our lives. In the life of the Lord Jesus he had one short season to accomplish all God wanted to accomplish through him. He did God's will. His mission was to save lives. This is still his mission today, and it is the mission of the church as well. We are the hands and feet and mouth of the Lord Jesus on this earth. We are to preach the gospel so that men can be saved.Christ died for our sins, he was buried, and he rose again on the third day. Everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord Jesus will be saved.Luke 9:57-62The Lord Jesus talked to three different people about discipleship. He was approached by two people and one person he approached.In the first case a man offered to follow the Lord, but the Lord told him that he lived like a homeless man. Does the man still want to follow? The Lord challenges us to consider how he lived and count the cost. Are we willing to suffer like he did in order to be his disciple?In the second case the Lord Jesus exhorted someone to follow him. But the person made an excuse related to family obligations. The Lord Jesus told him to let the dead bury the dead but for him to go and preach the kingdom of God. Interesting how the Lord called people "dead" in this verse. I think this is echoed later in Paul's letter when he said that we were dead in our trespasses and sins. In other words, unbelievers in this world system have their place and their job. Let them do what they do. But our goal and purpose is to obey the Lord and preach the gospel.In the third case another person volunteered to follow the Lord Jesus but with certain conditions. He also wanted to fulfill some kind of family issue. The Lord Jesus told him that no man who put his hand to the plough and looked back was fit for the kingdom of God. In this case we see that to serve the Lord we must be whole hearted and not look back. Remember Lot's wife. She looked back and lost out.We should seriously consider each one of these conversations and ask ourselves if this applies to us. Are we making excuses for not following the Lord with our whole heart? Are we truly living as disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ?Examine yourselves to see if you are really in the faith or not. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mikekines.substack.com

Luke 9:18-45 (2)Luke 9:18-27The Lord Jesus asked his disciples who the people said he was. His disciples replied that some thought he was John the Baptist, or that he was one of the prophets of old returned. The Lord Jesus then asked them who they thought he was. Peter replied that the Lord Jesus was the Christ. When he made this confession the Lord Jesus instructed his disciples not to tell anyone. He then predicted he would be handed over to die and that he would rise again on the third day. He taught his disciples to take up their cross and follow him. He taught them if they wanted to gain life then they should lose their life for his sake. He taught them if anyone was ashamed of him and his words he would be ashamed of them before the heavenly Father and the angels. He concluded by saying that some of the disciples present would see him coming in his kingdom.A man has a choice to worship the Lord or to worship himself. If he worships the Lord then he must deny himself and take up his cross. The Lord Jesus showed us the way to live for God. It is by giving away our life for God. In the Lord's case this literally meant that he would die on the cross. For us, many times this means we live for the Lord Jesus instead of living for ourselves. In the same way that Abraham offered Isaac to God we are to offer our heart and lives to God. We should be willing to go all the way with God and die if that is the will of God. As far as Abraham was concerned Isaac was dead but God raised him from the dead in a figure. He stopped him from offering his son and instead God offered his only begotten Son Jesus Christ in our place. God provided himself as the Lamb.The impact of this upon us was to set us free from living for ourselves. If we only live for self then in the end we will lose everything. We will be castaway. Look at that word "castaway" here.Luke 9:25, "For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?"Men who do not follow the Lord Jesus dedicate their entire lives to gaining the world. They live their entire life according to the principles of the world system, hoping for provision, hoping for protection, hoping for prestige and glory. But what do they get? In the end they lose their life. When they stand before God they will have nothing but vanity to show for themselves.The only way to live is to die to self and instead live for the Lord Jesus Christ. Follow the example of the Lord Jesus Christ. Humble yourself and be obedient to death even the death of the cross.Luke 9:28-36This account of the transfiguration of the Lord Jesus was recorded in Matthew, Mark, and Luke. This was a significant event in the life of the Lord Jesus. Peter later mentioned this again in his epistle. This was a life changing experience for the disciples. The Lord Jesus took Peter, James, and John with him up on the mountain to pray. While he was there he was changed. His face was changed and he glowed with a heavenly white light. While he was there two men appeared in glory with the Lord Jesus. These men were Moses and Elijah. In my opinion, these two men were the same ones there when the Lord Jesus ascended into heaven, and will be the two witnesses in the book of Revelation. I also think they might have been the two men at the tomb of the Lord Jesus when he was resurrected.Peter suggested the creation of three tents, one for the Lord Jesus, one for Moses, and one for Elijah. Somehow he knew who these men were without having met them previously. This gives us a clue as to how things will be in the kingdom of God. We will know each other. We will know the Lord and we will know one another. A cloud appeared and the voice of God the Father spoke, proclaiming that the Lord Jesus was God's beloved Son and to hear him. Listen to the Lord Jesus! Listen to the Lord Jesus! This is what we are called to do. We are called to hear the voice of the Lord. This was the advantage of someone like Mary over her sister Martha. She had the spiritual discernment to know what was the most important thing to do. May God give us the discernment to know what is the best thing we can do with the life we have been given. Listen to the Lord Jesus.Christ died for our sins. He was buried. He rose again on the third day. Everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord Jesus will be saved.Luke 9:37-45When the Lord Jesus and his disciples came down from the mountain of transfiguration they were confronted with a father who had a son possessed by devils. This father had already asked the Lord's disciples to help him and they were unable to cast out the devils from this boy.I'm not sure who the Lord Jesus was rebuking when he said "faithless and perverse generation" but I assume this was directed at the disciples who were unable to help the man.Even in the presence of the Lord these devils tried to act up but the Lord Jesus rebuked them, cast them out, and healed the boy completely. He then gave the boy back to his father. Everyone there was amazed at the mighty power of God displayed through the Lord Jesus Christ.Right at that moment the Lord Jesus turned to his disciples and told them that the Son of Man would be delivered into the hands of men. Why did he say this? I think he tried to wake them up to get serious about their spiritual walk. He would only be with them a short season of time. He had a mission to go to Calvary and had only a short time to teach them.He rebuked them to make them humble themselves and get serious about their spiritual life. The Lord Jesus rebuked the churches in Revelation chapters 2 and 3 in a similar manner. He said that everyone he loved he chastened and rebuked. We are to be zealous for the Lord and repent.It is possible for a Christian to go a long time without any spiritual power in his life. Instead of living in spiritual defeat the Lord Jesus called us to get rid of all compromise in our life. He wants us to have a red hot burning faith in God and to get rid of all compromise. We may need to fast and pray to build this spiritual fire in our life. In another places where this same story was retold the Lord Jesus told his disciples that some demons can only come out by prayer and fasting.Rid your life of all compromise. Remember to lay aside every weight and every sin which so easily besets you. Do not be like Israel at the foot of the mountain waiting for Moses to come back. Do not give in to the flesh but instead walk in the Spirit as you wait each day upon the Lord. Do not give in to impatience. Do not allow yourselves to give in to discouragement or unbelief. He that will come will come and will not delay. Cast not away your confidence today. Endure until the end. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mikekines.substack.com

Luke 9:1-17 (1)Luke 9:1-6The Lord Jesus sent out his twelve apostles to preach, proclaim, drive out devils, and heal sick people. He gave them specific instructions on what equipment to use, where to stay, and how to respond to people who rejected their ministry. The Lord did not leave out any details when he instructed his apostles in their ministry.My take here is that I need to be ready to receive specific instructions from the Lord on how to conduct myself, on how to serve in ministry, and how to live for him. He is my provider, my protection, and my portion forever. Therefore I should listen to his instructions even when it comes to such mundane things as equipment used in ministry and how to conduct myself in ministry.This principle holds for the faith of the Christian. We should live in accordance with God's instructions to us through the Holy Bible. We are to carefully read the instructions in the New Testament on how we should live and then conform our lives to those instructions.The following passages provide some straight forward instructions on Christian living: Romans 12-15, Galatians 5:16-26, Ephesians 4:17-6:9, Philippians 4:4-9, Colossians 3-4, 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12, 1 Thessalonians 5:12-22, 2 Thessalonian 3:6-15, Titus 2-3, James (the entire book). These are just samples. There is a lot more in the New Testament, including the teachings of the Lord Jesus in the gospel accounts.Luke 9:7-9Herod killed John the Baptist. He heard rumors about the Lord Jesus and was told this might be John the Baptist risen from the dead, or it might be Elijah come back from heaven, or it might be one of the other prophets. Notice how people in those days believed the same kind of things people do today. They believed people could rise from the dead. This was seen clearly in the ministry of the Lord Jesus because he raised people from the dead. The widow's son from Nain, Jairus' daughter, and Lazarus were just three examples I can think of.Herod was perplexed. This is how the world feels about Christians. They are perplexed. This explains the anger, the mocking, the minimizing and unbelief. You can't really put a Christian into a box, but unbelievers do this non-stop. They can't be happy until they have labeled and categorized a Christian. Why? Because Christians perplex them. It causes unbelievers mental anguish to think about Christians. Almost always the world reacts to Christians with a negative response. Rarely do you find someone who does not believe in God who has something positive to say about Christians. When you do, it is because they are trying to pretend they are magnanimous in order to feel good about themselves.Herod was perplexed. I've suffered for a long time with the confusion of other people around me. Unbelievers just do not know what to do with a real Christian. They can feel the spiritual life in the Christian. They can smell the fragrance of the Lord in the Holy Spirit filled Christian. It is not an aroma they like very much. It reminds them that they are going to die. It reminds them they will give an account for all of their sins. It reminds them they have appointment with God to keep.Christ died for our sins. He was buried. He rose again on the third day. Everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord Jesus will be saved.Luke 9:10-17When the apostles returned to the Lord Jesus after their missionary journey he brought them aside privately to a desert place near Bethsaida. However, the general population heard of his location and came out to him. He taught them about the kingdom of God and he healed people. Eventually the disciples came to the Lord Jesus and asked him to send the crowds away so they could get food and shelter. The Lord Jesus turned this around and told the disciples to give the crowd food. They protested and said they only had five loaves and two fishes. The Lord Jesus told the disciples to make the people sit down in groups of fifty. Once this was done the Lord Jesus took the bread and fish, blessed it, and with it he fed all of those five thousand people, and there were twelve baskets of food left over which the disciples collected.There are multiple thoughts and lessons which we can glean from this account of the Lord Jesus feeding the five thousand people. One thought I have, first of all, is a simple fact: God is my Provider. The Lord Jesus is my Provider. Psalm 23:1, "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want".The Lord Jesus taught his disciples to pray to the Father and say, "Give us this day our daily bread." God is our provider. He gives us everything we need in order to live on this earth. The Lord Jesus taught his disciples to seek first God's kingdom and his righteousness and all these other things (material things we need for life) would be added to us.Another thought I have is that those who were in the ministry serving the Lord Jesus did not really have much compassion for the people. They wanted them to go away. Perhaps this lack of compassion arises from a lack of faith. They did not see the five loaves and two fish as enough food to feed the multitude of people. However, in the hands of the Lord Jesus, that little bit of food became enough to feed that entire multitude of people. When we give the Lord Jesus what we have then he can take it and multiply it and feed many people. Don't ever feel like you don't have anything to offer the Lord or other people. Sometimes just a word of encouragement or comfort can make all the difference.This account described a miracle of God's provision. Do you need a miracle today? Do you need God to provide a need in your life? Ask the Lord Jesus and see what he will do for you. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mikekines.substack.com

Luke 8:22-56 (2)Luke 8:22-25The Lord Jesus demonstrated his authority over the raging seas. The Lord Jesus is King over all creation. Jesus Christ is God. He is the Savior, and he is the Lord, and he is the King. He demonstrated his authority and power over creation.Notice the Lord Jesus told his disciples they would go to the other side of the lake. If they listened to him then they would not have thought that they would perish. They would have known that no matter what the circumstances appear that they would make it to the other side. Some people teach that the Lord Jesus rebuked them for a lack of faith because he expected them to rebuke the seas. I don't believe that. Instead, I think he rebuked them for not remembering what he said. He said they were going to the other side. The Lord Jesus was the one who rebuked the sea. They did right going to him for help but their attitude of fear had to be corrected. We should go to God in our difficult situations in life, but go to God with faith. Go to the Lord like the shunammite woman, and say, "All is well."God is in control of the raging seas. He reigns as King over the flood. He reigns as King forever.Luke 8:26-39After crossing the sea the Lord Jesus and his disciples landed where they met a man who was possessed by a legion of demons. The Lord Jesus demonstrated his authority over the powers of darkness by driving out this legion of demons. The demons went into a herd of pigs and drowned in the sea. The man was thankful and wanted to follow the Lord Jesus but the Lord told him to go home and tell his family how God had mercy on him.What always stands out to me in this account is how Jesus exposes the system which the powers of darkness use. Jesus demanded to know their name. They said "Legion" because there were great numbers of them. Through this we understand the system the powers of darkness use is based on making a name for themselves and bringing numbers underneath a name they create. This is also seen in the account of the tower of Babel and is also exposed by the Lord Jesus when he said the Antichrist would come "in his own name". This is the basis for how the world system operates. Men exalt their names and bring numbers of men under their name to create satanic power. This satanic power provides them with provision and protection and portion independently from God. The world system is a counterfeit of the attributes of God.I look forward to the day when the Lord Jesus will drive out every demon off this earth. One day all of the powers of darkness in the air will be driven out and the atmosphere will be completely cleansed from their influence. I look forward to God's Kingdom coming on this earth. I look forward to God's will being done on earth as it is in heaven.Luke 8:40-56The Lord Jesus and his disciples returned from across the sea. They were welcomed back and the Lord Jesus was approached by Jairus, the ruler of a synagogue. He asked the Lord Jesus to save his daughter because she was dying. On the way to help Jairus the Lord Jesus encountered a woman who touched the hem of his robe and was healed from a bleeding disease. She was healed immediately. At first the Lord Jesus didn't know exactly who touched him but she came forward and made a full confession. The Lord Jesus said her faith made her whole and to go in peace. He continued on with Jairus and raised the little girl from the dead. The Lord Jesus insisted that she was sleeping and was not dead, but he also said this about Lazarus who was clearly dead. When Jesus spoke to the little girl her spirit returned so it was clear she was dead, even though Jesus said she slept. The early church used this same way of describing physical death as "sleeping". The Lord Jesus raised the little girl from the dead and gave her back to her parents. The Lord requested that they keep this incident quiet and not talk about it.The main idea I get from this passage is that Jesus has authority over life and death. He is the giver of all life. The Lord Jesus said he is the resurrection and the life. There are several examples in the gospels where the Lord Jesus raised someone from the dead. This girl was one example. Lazarus was an example. There was also a young man from Nain whom the Lord raised from the dead. Probably there were other examples that occurred where the Lord Jesus raised people from the dead. In my opinion, I think the Lord still raises some people from the dead. There are a lot of testimonies you can listen to online where people died, had an encounter with the Lord, and then returned to life to tell others about heaven, or hell, or a message from the Lord.The entire Christian faith rests upon the fact of the resurrection from the dead. Read 1 Corinthians 15. Paul made it clear that our faith rested upon the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. If people cannot be raised from the dead, or if there was no after life, then there is no Christian faith. But, hallelujah, Jesus Christ is risen from the dead. There is plenty of evidence in the Bible for this, and there is historical evidence that a person can research if they are interested.Christ died for our sins, he was buried, and he rose again on the third day. Call upon the name of the Lord Jesus and be saved today. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mikekines.substack.com

Luke 8:1-3Here was an example of when women were included in the ministry of the Lord Jesus. From the beginning the Lord Jesus included men and women in the work of the gospel. The apostle Paul later expounded on this in his letters and it would benefit churches, men, and women greatly to study what Paul says to men, women, and the role we each take in family, work, and in the church. These women accompanied the Lord Jesus and ministered to him out of their resources. However, all of the twelve apostles of the Lord were men. There were different roles. How difficult it would be for those apostles if the women were not there performing their role. The apostles were not better than these women. It was the women the Lord Jesus first appeared to after his resurrection. The Lord honored women many times in the Bible. There were women mentioned in his genealogy. Here were women, mentioned by name, recorded in the gospel account. There was a woman named Mary who anointed the Lord Jesus for his burial and he said her story would always be told anywhere the gospel was proclaimed. My point is this: those in the world who say that Christianity is against women are wrong. Christianity is the greatest thing that ever happened for women. It is the Lord who showed the world the value and the beauty and the importance of women.We all have different roles as men and women. We are different. God created us different. There are men, and there are women, and we are separate, different, and important in each of our own roles.Christ died for our sins. He was buried, and he rose again on the third day. Everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved.Luke 8:4-15It is true that not everyone will benefit from hearing the word of God. The Lord Jesus taught in his parable that people hear the word according to what was already in their heart. In order to hear God's word in such a way that brings fruit our heart must be prepared. We should pray and ask the Lord to give us a heart that can hear his word and can receive and keep the word and that can then produce fruit in our life. The goal of God's word in us is to bear fruit through us to benefit others. God's word is like a seed planted in the ground. The purpose of that seed is to be planted, to die in the earth, and then to resurrect with life in order to bring forth life for others. This is what we see in the life of Jesus. He gave himself upon Calvary so through his death and resurrection we can receive eternal life by faith in him.Not everyone who heard the Lord speak could understand what he said. Some heard the Lord with joy but lost the word because the enemy came and stole it away. Others heard and received but produced nothing because of hardship and suffering. Others did not benefit because they were distracted by the world system. The cares of life choked the word. Others heard God's word in a good heart and produced fruit. There was a one in four chance of bearing fruit when hearing the word. It took a humble and obedient heart to benefit from hearing the word.I think one purpose in telling parables was to actually protect people from being accountable for knowing things they would never believe. The more a person understands about the Bible the more accountable they become. I pray that what I learn from God I will obey and put into practice. I pray I can bear the fruit which God looks for in the life he gave me.Christ died for our sins. He was buried. He rose again on the third day. Everyone who calls upon the name of Jesus will be saved.Luke 8:16-18The Lord wants us to share with others what he gave us. We should share our testimony of how the Lord Jesus Christ saved us. Along with that testimony be careful to share the scriptures which show other people how they can be saved. I always share 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 and also Romans 10:9-13 with people. These are basic scriptures which outline the gospel and how to be saved.The gospel in our hearts is a bright shining light. However, if we never open our mouth and share the word with others then we are hiding the light. At some point we need to be bold and share the Lord Jesus with other people. We need to let other people know we are Christians, we love the Lord, and let other people know how they can be saved. Without the word of God there is no way a person can move from darkness into the light.I had people when I was a young man who were faithful to share God's word with me. I had my mom, a teacher in high school, and several people I worked with in different jobs who were faithful to the Lord and shared the gospel with me.I'm thankful for the years I had when I was a young Christian to share my testimony with people. I had the chance to share my testimony with churches, schools, in jails, in prisons, and on the streets. Those were glorious days for me. I let my light shine day after day.We go through different seasons in life when we are more active letting our light shine. My hope and my prayer is that I may inspire you today to let your light shine for Jesus. Let us make the best use of the opportunity we have to witness, share God's word, and proclaim the good news that Jesus saves!Luke 8:19-21This was also recorded in Matthew 12:46-50 and Mark 3:31-35. The fact that this specific incident was repeated three times in the gospels show there was an important truth here. What was important in this? The natural family of the Lord Jesus was contrasted with the spiritual family of those who hear and obey God.The most painful lesson in my life took place in the context of family. Most of the people in my family do not know the Lord Jesus. Over an extended period of time of many years I shared scripture, the gospel, and my testimony with each one of them. I did this as the occasion arose and also in a systematic fashion.As I've gotten older I realize the best thing I can do is pray for them. I see our roads are slowly but surely separating from one another. A spiritual reality is taking shape in front of my eyes. I can only explain this by putting it into the form of a metaphor. It is like walking down a road. When you are young you walk on the road with people in your family. However, when you are born into the family of God you start walking a different road than people in your natural family. Someone who is truly born again will have an intense desire to bring his natural family into this spiritual road. I remember this was an intense longing for me when I was young. I spent long periods of prayer when I cried and wept and prayed for my family.Over decades I've seen the hardness of unbelief confirm them in the concrete of self worship and turning their back on the living God. It truly gives me pain. I cannot bear to continue to keep up some kind of pretend relationship with them. They refuse to relate to you on the basis of truth and think you hate them because they can't understand why you cannot agree to relate to them on the basis of their delusions and deceit.The Lord Jesus never gave in to this. He refused to relate to his family on the basis of their opinions or thoughts or feelings. His relationship with everyone was based on truth. If anyone rejected the truth he could not reach them. He is the Truth. When Jesus lives in your heart the truth lives in you. You can no longer walk on the same road as those who do not believe in the Bible. It is impossible. It is not because you don't want to or because you hate your family. It is because there is a literal, spiritual wall that is growing thicker and taller and wider and it cannot be crossed.How can two walk together unless they be agreed? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mikekines.substack.com

Luke 7:36-50The forgiveness of her sins was evident because of the love she showed towards the Lord Jesus. Someone who experiences the forgiveness of their sins will love the Lord Jesus with all their heart. This is an automatic response to the grace of God and the forgiveness of sins. This woman had something which Simon the Pharisee did not have. Her sins were forgiven. Her faith made her whole in Christ Jesus.The Lord Jesus knew the thoughts of these religious men. Even before they said anything he knew what they were thinking. The Lord knows our thoughts. He can see what we are thinking and knows what is in our heart even before we ourselves know.The Lord Jesus forgives our sins. When we receive the Lord our heart overflows with thanksgiving and love and worship. She worshiped the Lord Jesus. This is the desire and the response of every soul who has been in the presence of the Lord Jesus. You cannot touch him and not love him. When he heals you, and forgives you, you will love him forever. He is worthy of all the glory, all the honor, and all the praise. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mikekines.substack.com

Luke 7:18-35John the Baptist had a full revelation of who Jesus Christ was. John was there when the Lord Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River and the Holy Spirit came upon Jesus in the form of a dove. John the Baptist was there when a voice from heaven said that Jesus was his Son. John saw this, he heard it, he believed it. He confessed that Jesus Christ was the Lamb of God. So what was happening when John sent messengers to Jesus to ask him if he was the one or should he wait for someone else?This showed the humanity of John the Baptist. This showed us that when we suffer like this our faith can be shaken. The enemy can attack us and attempt to take away our faith in the Lord Jesus. However, the Lord was gracious and sent a word back to John to encourage his faith. Look at the evidence. See what Christ has done. See what he did in the Bible. See what he did in your life in the past. Don't forget what God already revealed to you. It is easy to forget. It is easy to let go of what you know is true, especially during times of intense suffering. This should be a warning to us that we need to hold steadfastly to everything the Lord spoke to us. Hold on to everything God revealed to you through his word. Do not forget and do not let go of God's word to you.The Lord Jesus sent a word of encouragement to John. Then he spoke to the crowd around him. Those who already humbled themselves and were baptized by John gladly heard the word of the Lord Jesus. Those who did not humble their hearts or confess their sins would not hear the word of the Lord Jesus. The Lord ended this exhortation when he said that no matter how a messenger of truth presented himself to the world that the world would always reject the truth. John came in one manner and Jesus in another manner. But it did not matter how they spoke or presented themselves. They both spoke the truth and both were rejected by those who refused to humble themselves.Sometimes the prophet of the Lord would be rebuked by the world. They accuse him of being unloving or too hard on people. They would criticize the man of God's methods! But this was just their way of rejecting the truth of what the prophet spoke. He spoke the truth but they rejected his words when they said that they don't like the way he spoke. They were only deceiving their themselves when they did this. They were not deceiving the Lord. The Lord knew their hearts and he saw the pride in them. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mikekines.substack.com

Luke 6:46-49Our life is compared to building a house. What kind of foundation did you build on? If the Lord Jesus Christ is the foundation of your life then you have a sure foundation. When you stand before the Lord on judgment day this foundation will stand and your spirit will be saved.The apostle Paul seemed to build on this analogy in 1 Corinthians 3 when he talked about building upon the foundation. With what material did you use to build with? Do we build on the foundation of the Lord Jesus with obedience to him? Do we walk in the Spirit and produce the fruits of the Spirit? Or do we profess our faith in Christ and yet continue to walk in the flesh like the rest of the world?It is possible for a man to be a Christian and to walk in the flesh. He will lose his reward and inheritance if he does. We must learn to build on the solid foundation of obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ. We must learn to put his word into practice in our every day lives. This is only possible by the power of the Holy Spirit. We must yield ourselves to the Lord by abiding in the gospel, by staying in his word, by staying in prayer. Then we will have the spiritual strength to obey him and to walk in his word. Then we will build a life which will stand up against the fires of judgment at the judgment seat of Christ.1 Corinthians 3:11-15, "For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire."2 Corinthians 5:8-11, "We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences."Christ Jesus died for us upon the cross of Calvary. He gave his life as a ransom, a substitute, for us. If we will believe and receive we will escape the wrath of God. If you do not believe you will face the full wrath of God's fist of judgment one day. Everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ will be saved.Luke 7:1-10The Lord Jesus commended the faith of the Centurion. He also commended the faith of a Gentile woman who had faith in him. These were people outside the house of Israel but knew that the Lord Jesus was the Messiah and could heal them of their problems.In this case the Centurion had a servant who was sick and about to die. The Centurion sent his request through the Jewish leaders. These Jews wanted to help him because he loved the Jewish nation and built a synagogue. Notice this man's faith in the God of Israel was expressed through a practical demonstration of good works. As a result, the Jews reasoned with the Lord Jesus that this man was "worthy" of his help. This is an interesting insight because it showed the importance of living our faith in front of others and not just talking about faith.After he sent the Jews to intercede with the Lord Jesus he then sent friends to stop Jesus from coming to his house. In the first case he sent the Jews to bring the Lord Jesus to him. Then it seems he changed his mind and sent friends to tell the Lord Jesus not to come to his house but rather speak a word and his servant would be healed. This showed the progress of receiving revelation. He knew the Lord Jesus could help him. Then he realized what he needed was the word of the Lord and his problem would be solved.This is the place I believe the Lord is bringing me to. God wants me to walk by faith in his word. He wants me to stand upon his word, his promises, and claim his word as my own. He wants me to believe in his word and experience God's power in my life to heal me, set me free, to bring joy instead of mourning, and to bring victory. I believe we can be overcomers today in Christ Jesus. I believe God is calling me and others to take our stand upon his word and proclaim the victory we have in the Lord Jesus Christ. Satan and all his devils are defeated. Sin is no longer my master. I belong to the Lord Jesus Christ now. My life is in the hands of my Creator the Lord Jesus Christ.Christ died for our sins. He was buried, and he rose again on the third day. Call upon the name of the Lord Jesus and be saved from self, sin, the world, the devil, and from a lake of fire.Luke 7:11-17The Lord Jesus demonstrated he had power over death. He raised the dead son of this widow from the village of Nain. He met the funeral procession as it left town and caused them to stop in their tracks. He spoke to the dead man and he sat up and was alive. No doubt the people who saw this were thunderstruck with terror at the power of God demonstrated at the word of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord Jesus gave the young man back to his mother and thus restored hope in this present life to her and also to him.How many people did the Lord Jesus raise from the dead? There was Jairus' daughter, and Lazarus who was the brother of Mary and Martha. The Lord Jesus demonstrated on several occasions his power of life over death. The Lord Jesus said he was the resurrection and life. Anyone who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ received eternal life.The Lord Jesus destroyed the power of death. He rose from the dead on the third day and demonstrated that he had all power and authority in heaven and on earth and under the earth. Every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.You can have eternal life today. Call upon the name of Jesus and ask him to raise you up from the dead and give you new life. 2 Corinthians 5:17, "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mikekines.substack.com

Luke 6:37-42When I read this it reminds me of how the Lord Jesus reproved the spiritual blindness of the religious leaders and told his disciples to avoid them. He said they were blind leaders of the blind and both would fall into a ditch. When I read this it helps me to discern the religious spirit which controls people. What is this religious spirit like? It judges others but is unable to see that it does the same thing that it condemns in other people. It condemns others and cannot see that God condemns it for the same things it condemns other people for. This religious attitude causes people to be blind to their own condition. Instead, it brings pride which blinds a man to his own moral and spiritual condition. It can easily see the faults and failures in other people but is incapable of seeing the same faults and failures in its own life.I believe the Lord wants us to help our brother with the mote in his eye. However, we cannot help someone if we have the same problem in our life. I think people desire to preach, counsel, or help others but they are not free in their own life. They are bound up with sin, unbelief, idolatry, covetousness, immorality, and yet they want to help other people. This is religion. It is hypocrisy. We must be completely free and filled with life before we can free someone else and impart spiritual life. We must be completely free in Christ. God places us in Christ. He unites us together with him in crucifixion, death, burial, and resurrection. It is only by abiding in the gospel that we are set free and it is only when we walk in victory we can help other people see the truth and be set free as well. This requires dying to self and allowing the Holy Spirit to live through you. When you do this you are not focusing on judging or condemning others. Instead, you discern the problem and come alongside the brother with love and compassion to help him be set free.Praise the Lord for setting us free from self, from sin, from the world, and from the devil. Christ died for our sins, he was buried, and he rose again on the third day. Everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord Jesus will be saved.Luke 6:43-45In the last section the Lord Jesus warned us about judging people. However, in this section we are called to use discernment in dealing with people. There is a negative type of judging that we are to avoid. That kind of judging is tied together with a blindness of one's own sin and faults. However, the discernment described in these verses is completely necessary if we are ever to help others and help ourselves avoid people who would corrupt us.The Lord Jesus taught us with the analogy of trees and their fruit. A tree brings forth a specific kind of fruit. A bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree bears good fruit. If you hear bad things coming out of a person's mouth consistently then you know the heart of that person is bad. If you constantly hear good things coming out of a person's mouth you know that person is good.Even in this, however, you need to discern between things that are "carnal" good things, and what is "spiritual" good. Many people nowadays are into positive confession, but they have no grasp of the truth of the bible at all. They may say positive words but the spirit and heart behind what they say is covetousness and self worship. It takes the wisdom of the Holy Spirit to discern these things. This is why we can NOT rely upon our natural understanding of people to know what is good and bad. We must rely upon the Holy Spirit to show us the kind of fruit a person has.Churches are filled with crowds of people. Look at mega churches. Would you say they are bearing good fruit or bad fruit? How do you discern what is good fruit? Is great numbers of people an indication of good fruit? Many times it is not. There were many people who followed King Saul and died with him. Was King Saul good because many people followed him?When you hear the gospel of Jesus Christ coming out of people consistently you can know they are good. The gospel is this. Christ died for our sins, he was buried, and he rose again on the third day. Everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Preach to men and tell them they are great sinners, and Jesus Christ is a great Savior. We are wrong in every way. But Jesus is right in all of his ways. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mikekines.substack.com

Luke 6:27-36Here was the way of the Christian life in relationships with other believers and with unbelievers. We should not retaliate or seek revenge against people who sin against us. Instead, we love people, pray for them, and bless them. Do not be overcome by evil but overcome evil by doing good. The Lord takes care of people who hurt us, or harm us, or steal from us, or take advantage of us. Leave that to the Lord. Do not worry about your life. Be prepared to lay your life down and love people even those who hate you. You will find people hate you simply because you are a Christian. Don't be surprised by this. Don't be surprised when people speak evil of you simply because you are a Christian. Love your enemies. Do good to them. Pray for them. Ask God to bless them with the saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. Sooner or later you will have people take advantage of you because you are a Christian. This might be money, or your time, or your life in some way. Don't begrudge people when they take your time, or resources, and never pay you back. Trust in God with your life and resources. Don't hold on to your life or resources but let it all go. God will take care of you.The ability to love your enemies is supernatural. The strength to love people like this can only come from God. This is not human or natural love. Human and natural love runs out of energy quickly. God's love, however, endures forever. God puts his love in our heart by the Holy Spirit. Romans 5:5, "And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us."This scripture reminds me of the testimony of Corrie ten Boom. Her family was killed during World War 2 but after the war she preached the gospel to the people who killed her family. She had a guard in the concentration camp where her sister was killed who attended one of her meetings and he became a Christian. Corrie did not have the human strength to love this man but when she reached out her hand by faith she was filled with the Holy Spirit and enabled by God to love the one who participated in destroying her family. This love comes from God. This is the love of Jesus Christ which he makes available to us if we receive it by faith. By faith we love our enemies. By faith we pray for those who take advantage of us.Christ died for our sins. He was buried. He rose again on the third day. Everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord Jesus will be saved. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mikekines.substack.com

Luke 6:20-23The Lord Jesus said those who are poor, and mourn, and are cast out and called evil for his sake were actually blessed. Why are we blessed? Because we have a great reward in heaven. Those the Lord Jesus blessed were not living their best life now. Their life, instead, was hid with Christ in God. Their life would begin in heaven, not here on this temporary life. In the next verses the Lord Jesus would pronounce woes on those who were living for the here and now. Those who are poor, and hungry, who mourn, and who are cast out for the Lord's sake are to rejoice and dance for joy. When we rejoice in the midst of our sufferings we are truly blessed by God. Our reward is great in heaven.Let us not live for the here and now. Instead, let us make up our mind that we are living for heaven. We were taught by the Lord Jesus to store up treasures in heaven and not on earth. Our goal is to live for God's kingdom and not for this cursed world system that we are caught in now. Don't live for the world system. Don't set your heart on riches for they will fly away like a bird with wings. Don't live for yourself. Don't worship your own self or glorify your own self. Instead, glorify God. Give praise to God. Don't praise yourself. Don't pat yourself on your back. Instead, give God glory and honor and praise.Luke 6:24-26The Lord Jesus turned the thinking of the world system right side up. He overturned the tables of our natural, worldly thinking.He pronounced woes on those who were rich. Think about this for a minute. The biggest and most powerful churches in America preach the opposite of what the Lord Jesus plainly taught. The Lord Jesus pronounced woes on the rich. Yet the most powerful Christian churches in America preach the exact opposite of this.How is this possible? We are truly living in the last days. These are perilous days when men are lovers of their own selves. The Lord Jesus pronounced woe upon those who were living for the current, present temporary life in this body. He said those who are full now will be hungry in the next life. Those who laugh now in the present life will mourn and weep in the life to come. If you were popular and made a great name for yourself and all men spoke well of you? It was because you were a false prophet. You were a false preacher. You were a false teacher. Think about that for a minute and let that sink in. That should put the fear of God in our heart. We should realize that we need to flee from the religious Babylon that is American churches.Our natural, default mindset is to worship men who make a name for themselves. We praise men who do well for themselves in this world system. We seek to be like them and to follow them. Why? Because the heart of man is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked. We need the Holy Spirit to expose the idolatry, covetousness, and unbelief which exists in our hearts. We are natural worshipers of self. We need the Holy Spirit to convict us, correct us, and help us to see clearly what we are and who God really is.May the Lord take these few verses and open the eyes of our spirit so we can understand how holy, awesome, and powerful the Lord Jesus Christ is. May God open our eyes so we will fear the Lord and depart from evil. Let us humble our hearts, and repent, and ask the Lord to grant us grace so we can walk in the Spirit and not in the flesh. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mikekines.substack.com

Luke 6:12-19The Lord Jesus prayed all night before he named his disciples. Here is a precedent for the Christian life. Before any great decisions be made spend time in prayer. If any man lack wisdom let him ask of God. The Lord Jesus never lacked wisdom, but still he prayed all night before he named his disciples. He waited upon the will of his heavenly Father. This is our example. Prayer comes first, before the decision, before the action, before going forward. There are times when we need extended seasons of seeking the Lord in prayer. There are moments in our lives when it may require staying up all night and praying to overcome in a particular circumstance or situation. Be willing to seek God with all of your heart. Daniel fasted and prayed for 21 days. Moses was on the mountain for 40 days with God. How long are you willing to wait on the Lord? King Saul was not willing to wait for the prophet and as a result he lost everything in his life. They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings as eagles. They shall run and not grow weary. They shall walk and not faint.After he named his apostles then he ministered to a great multitude of people. Scripture says that virtue went out of him. The Lord Jesus did not live for himself, but came to seek and to save those who were lost. The Lord Jesus gave his life to others. This is our example. Do we live for self, or do we live for others? Do we employ the gifts God gave us to help others? May the Lord help us to see the opportunity before us today to serve and to be a blessing to others.The Lord Jesus died upon Calvary for our sins. He gave his life and died so that we could live forever with him. He was buried in a tomb. On the third day he rose from the dead. He conquered death, hell, and the grave. Because he has overcome we also, who are in him, also overcome. Believe upon the Lord Jesus today and be saved. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mikekines.substack.com

Luke 6:1-5The Lord Jesus and his disciples went through fields and ate produce. This was on a Sabbath day so they were criticized by the religious leaders. The religious leaders said they were breaking the law because they picked up food from a field on the Sabbath day. This might seem ridiculous to us today but it was a serious accusation then. People were stoned to death for breaking the Sabbath. However, the Lord Jesus responded to them with scripture. Notice how the Lord Jesus responded to his accusers with simple truth from the Bible. He reminded them of the account of when David ate the holy priest's bread and was not guilty of breaking the law. He then told them that he was the Lord of the Sabbath.I believe the Lord Jesus did these things on the Sabbath to provoke the religious people. I believe this was recorded for us because we have a great need to be set free from false religion. The Lord Jesus exposed the hypocrisy and used the scriptures which they were proud of to show them how hardhearted and unmerciful they were. Religious people are the most unmerciful and hardhearted? Why? Because false religion breeds self righteousness. Self righteous people are the most dangerous people you can find. They can kill you and think they are doing God a favor.People today who preach we are under the Sabbath are no better than these religious leaders who wanted to kill Jesus. This false religion of Sabbath keeping is exactly the kind of thing the Lord Jesus exposed in all of these stories about breaking the Sabbath. Don't be deceived by false religion that teaches we are under the law or should keep the Sabbath. Flee from these false prophets and false religion. It spreads like cancer in the church.Christ died for our sins. He was buried. He rose again on the third day according the scriptures. Everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved.Luke 6:6-11The religious leaders looked for any reason to accuse the Lord Jesus of wrongdoing. They definitely felt threatened by him and his ministry. Why? All he did was heal somebody! Why was this such a threat to these religious leaders?To understand this we need discernment into why men use religion to control people. Most of the time religious leaders are in their positions for provision and protection. They convince themselves that they do what they do for God but in reality they are in it for themselves. It is a way to make a living.In those days there was an entire religious system which controlled not only people going to synagogue but their entire society and community. Religious leaders had much more influence than just over those who came to church.The Lord Jesus was a threat to this. He did not walk according to their man made rules and traditions. And he had spiritual authority and power which they could not deny. He healed people right in front of them and everyone else in church. There was no denying his spiritual authority and power. Yet he did not live according to their rules.They knew if people followed the Lord Jesus that it would destroy their system of religious control. In other words, they were in danger of losing their careers, their positions, and their prestige. Religious men in positions of prestige will fight you tooth and nail and kill you before they allow you to damage their reputation. I've seen this in my life with powerful religious leaders. They are very dangerous people, just like King Saul in the Old Testament.Even though he knew their thoughts that they would plot to kill him the Lord Jesus still healed the man. He was not stopped by their madness. He was determined to finish the ministry and the goal which he received from the heavenly Father. We must adopt this same determination. No matter what people say about us, no matter how people slander us or belittle us or mock us. We must obey God. We must continue to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ. Don't let religious people stop you from obeying God. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mikekines.substack.com

Luke 5:27-39The Lord Jesus called the publican Levi to follow him. This same Levi was Matthew. He immediately left everything and followed the Lord Jesus.He invited the Lord Jesus to his house and threw a party for him and his friends. These friends were publicans and sinners.The Lord Jesus sat down with them and no doubt some came to faith in Christ.However, religious folk criticized the Lord Jesus for visiting with sinners. The Lord Jesus replied that sick people need a doctor. He did not come to call righteous people but sinners to repentance.They change their strategy and criticize him because he did not fast like John the Baptist. Note that these religious leaders did not believe in John or Jesus. The comparison was sinister on many levels. This was a temptation of the pride of life to cause a division between him and John the Baptist. The Lord Jesus did not fall into their trap. He taught them that there was a time and place for all things. There was a season and a time for fasting but at that time that it was appropriate for him and his disciples to eat with these sinners. He taught them that they tried to contain him in their religious system and that he would never fit into their system of religion. God is too big to fit into the religious boxes men create.The Lord Jesus came to seek and to save the lost. His goal was to die on the cross so we could be saved from our sins. Christ died for our sins. Jesus said when he was lifted up he would draw all men to himself. Jesus was lifted up on the cross. He was buried. He rose again on the third day.Romans 8:34, "Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us." This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mikekines.substack.com

Luke 5:12-16The background of leprosy in the Bible can be found in Leviticus 13 and 14. God provided instructions for Israel on how to deal with this problem. There were examples in the Old Testament of people who were infected with this disease and healed by God. Naaman the Syrian and Miriam the sister of Moses were infected with leprosy and healed by God. This disease was seen by people as God's punishment on a person for his sin. It was thought to be incurable except by a miracle from God.This leper believed the Lord Jesus could heal him. He expressed complete faith in God's ability even though he did not know whether or not the Lord Jesus was willing to heal him. He knew he could. He just did not know if he would. This is the confusion the enemy puts into the minds of those who believe in God. I know he can, but will he? Don't be confused by this. The Lord Jesus demonstrated that he can heal us and he that is willing to heal us as well.People were forbidden to touch a leper because of the probability of infection spreading. However, the Lord Jesus reached out and touched the man. He was healed instantly. There was never any danger of infection to the Lord Jesus. No disease or death or sin can stand in the way of the Son of God. He destroyed all the works of the devil.Why did the Lord Jesus tell the man to follow the religious laws and present himself to the priests according to the Jewish laws? The Lord Jesus wanted him to be a testimony to the priests. The Lord Jesus cared about all these people. His compassion extended to the religious Jew as well as the lowly sick folk.This same account of the leper was also recorded in Matthew and Mark. It was an important event in the life of the Lord Jesus and was recorded by Matthew, Mark, and Luke.Christ died for our sins. He was buried. He rose again on the third day. He ascended into heaven and is even now at the right hand of God making intercession for us. He will return again to receive us unto himself that where he is we may be also. Everyone who calls upon the name of Jesus is saved.Luke 5:17-26The friends of a paralytic did all they could to make sure that he received help from the Lord Jesus. What are we doing to bring people to Jesus? What am I doing today to help bring others to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ? These men let down the paralytic through the roof of the house. The Lord Jesus pronounced the man's sins were forgiven. In this case we can assume his physical disability was related to sin. The Lord Jesus forgave the man's sins and also healed the man's body. Spiritual and physical healing go hand in hand with the Lord Jesus. The Lord Jesus does not make a difference between salvation of the soul and salvation of the body. In God's kingdom we have a new body like the Lord Jesus. We will have a resurrected body in God's kingdom.There were always people who opposed the work of God. Notice it was almost always religious, self righteous people who opposed the work of God. Satan deceived people with false religion in order to inoculate them from having true faith in God. The Lord Jesus knew their thoughts. He forgave sins. He healed the man. This was evidence that God was in their midst but they were unable to discern the facts before them. The same is true today. God speaks to us today but who is listening? Who can hear the voice of the Lord today?The closer we get to the kingdom the less we can abide false religious systems. Judgment begins with the house of God. God discerns between the brother of the flesh and the brother of the spirit. Are you an overcomer?Christ died for our sins. He was buried. He rose again on the third day. Everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord Jesus is saved. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mikekines.substack.com

Luke 5:1-11The crowd was so great that the Lord Jesus resorted to a boat and preached from the water. The boat belonged to Simon, a fisherman, who confessed that he fished all night and caught nothing. At the word of the Lord Jesus, however, he put down his net and caught more fish than he could haul in. He requested help from his fellow fishermen to haul in the great catch. As a result, Simon knew that God was present in the Lord Jesus and he requested that Jesus would go away. Peter said, "I am a sinful man."In scripture men who saw God were afraid they would die. Moses, and Samson's father, all thought they would die if they saw God. This was a common idea in the bible and expressed by God also. If a man saw God he could not live in this human body. From this context we understand why Simon reacted this way. However, the Lord Jesus reassured him that he would not die. Indeed, not only would he live but would be used by God to bring eternal life to others through the preaching of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.Simon understood who the Lord Jesus was when the Lord Jesus demonstrated his goodness and provision. Many times men come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ because of the goodness of God. Romans 2:4, "Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?" This was my experience. When I was a young man God showed kindness and mercy towards me and the revelation of God's love in Jesus Christ brought me to my knees in salvation and worship.Simon could not bring all the fish to the shore by himself. He needed the help of his brothers. Notice how in Paul's letters he included the names of his fellow workers in the gospel. Each one of us has a part in the ministry but cannot succeed alone. Each one needs his brothers and sisters in Christ to work with him and alongside him. We each belong to one another and each serve the Lord Jesus Christ. The problem arises when brothers are suspicious and think their brother is not serving Jesus. We live in a time when the gospel is so commercialized and sold as a product that people no longer recognize when a true man of God needs support. People no longer see the importance of helping one another to bring fish ashore. We live in a cynical generation where people no longer trust one another. Therefore the work suffers. We are only able to bring a few fish to shore if that.The Lord Jesus told Peter he would no longer be a fisherman but instead fishing for men. Peter would become the great evangelist who on the day of Pentecost proclaimed the gospel and thousands came to faith in Jesus Christ.Christ died for our sins. He was buried, and he rose again on the third day. Everyone who calls upon the name of Jesus Christ will be saved. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mikekines.substack.com

Luke 4:38-44The Lord Jesus went into the house of Peter's mother-in-law. He healed her of a fever and she immediately got up and served others. We see a pattern when the Lord Jesus touched a person's life. When a person is saved, healed, delivered, and set free they serve others. This is an automatic response to the influence of the Lord Jesus Christ on a person's life. The person who meets the Lord Jesus will desire to devote his life thereafter to serving the Lord Jesus and others.By this time the reputation of the Lord's healing power spread and many people came to him. He healed them of their diseases and drove out the devils who afflicted them. The devils knew who he was but the Lord stopped them from speaking. This is an indication that we should have nothing to do with evil people, even those who pretend to promote the cause of the gospel. Always avoid allowing evil people to have anything to do with the ministry or proclaiming the gospel. Do not allow them to associate their presence with the work which God gave us to do. We see this in the history of Nehemiah and Ezra as well when they build the city and altar. They would not let unbelievers have any part of the work.The Lord did not settle down and enjoy the perks of a successful ministry. He was determined to continue forward to share the word of God with other places. He did not allow success to determine his course. He came to seek and save those who were lost. He came to serve and to lay down his life. He did not allow anything to stand in the way of his mission. He came to give his life and lay his life down as a sacrifice to save others.Christ died for our sins. He was buried. He rose again on the third day. Everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord Jesus is saved. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mikekines.substack.com

Luke 4:31-37The Lord Jesus demonstrated his authority to drive out demons. The Lord Jesus went to Capernaum and taught them on the Sabbath days. The people were amazed because his word was with power. There was a man in the church who had a demon and cried with a loud voice. The Lord Jesus rebuked the demon and drove it out of the man. Everyone was amazed and the word spread all over the country.I have several thoughts when I read these verses. It stands out to me that a demon possessed man is going to church. Why would a man who is demon possessed be in church? What was he doing there before Jesus exposed him? Ask yourself the question: how many people are coming to church who are not only unbelievers but demon possessed? The next thing I noticed is that this demon possessed man knew exactly who the Lord Jesus Christ was. The devil believes in God. He knows who the Lord Jesus is. Is it possible to get into a religious conversation with someone, assuming they are a Christian, and the entire time the person be demon possessed? Just because a person is religious does not mean they are a Christian. It might mean they have demons who are lying to you and pretending to be religious.Again, why is a demon attending a church service? Do you think demons are attending church today? How would you know?This demon revealed himself by screaming in the middle of a church service. Have you ever been in a church service where someone interrupted the Pastor? Have you ever been in a church where someone started talking loud enough to stop the preacher or interrupt the service?There is a reason the apostle Paul said that a church service should be conducted decently and in order. When someone is out of order, or disruptive, it might be an indication of demonic activity.The Lord Jesus has all authority to drive out the devil. He gave authority to Christians to tread upon serpents and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy. Greater is He that is in us than he that is in this world. We have overcome by the blood of the Lamb. Proclaim the gospel. Proclaim the victory of the Lord Jesus Christ. Do not be afraid of the enemy. Submit yourself to God and resist the devil and he will flee from you. (James 4:7)Christ died for our sins. He was buried. He rose again on the third day. He ascended into heaven and is at the right hand of God the Father. He lives forever making intercession for us. He is able to save to the uttermost those who come to God in the name of Jesus. Everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord Jesus will be saved. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mikekines.substack.com

Luke 4:14-30The beginning of the ministry of the Lord Jesus was met with complete rejection from his family and hometown.After the temptations in the wilderness the Lord Jesus returned to the town where he grew up. In Nazareth he went to the synagogue and read from the prophet Isaiah. He quoted a prophecy which was fulfilled that day in the Lord Jesus. He was and is the fulfillment of prophecy.When he said that he was the fulfillment of bible prophecy they rebelled against him. They listened to the scriptures but they rejected the one who gave us the scriptures. This is still true today. Many people claim God's word and know scriptures but they do not know the Lord Jesus. They have religion but reject the living God standing before them.What happened to the Lord Jesus happens to every man of God. Every man of God faces rejection and opposition. The rejection of the Lord Jesus was so violent they wanted to throw him off a cliff. The Lord Jesus walked through the midst of them and went his way.What does this teach us? It is normal for the Christian to be rejected by unbelieving family, friends, relatives, and even entire churches. It is normal for Christians to be cast out and to be rejected by unbelievers. The most violent unbelievers are religious or intellectual unbelievers. Churches are filled with people who happily sit and listen to God's word read and to sermons but their hearts are filled with violence, murder, and unbelief. They worship self. They do not worship the living God. They reject the Lord Jesus Christ. If you stand for the Lord Jesus they will reject you and cast you out.The Lord Jesus did not fight with them. He left them. He went his way. This is a lesson I am learning. Sometimes we just have to walk away. This is an important lesson for anyone who wants to follow the Lord Jesus with all of their heart. Sometimes we have to walk away from people. It is OK. Some people will never change. They will not listen to the word of God. They are filled with their own opinions and they worship themselves.Jeremiah 15:19-21, "Therefore thus saith the LORD, If thou return, then will I bring thee again, and thou shalt stand before me: and if thou take forth the precious from the vile, thou shalt be as my mouth: let them return unto thee; but return not thou unto them. 20 And I will make thee unto this people a fenced brasen wall: and they shall fight against thee, but they shall not prevail against thee: for I am with thee to save thee and to deliver thee, saith the LORD. 21 And I will deliver thee out of the hand of the wicked, and I will redeem thee out of the hand of the terrible."Christ died for our sins. He was buried, and he rose again on the third day. Everyone who calls upon the name of Jesus will be saved. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mikekines.substack.com

Luke 4:1-13The Lord Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit and led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness for forty days. During this time the Lord Jesus was tempted by the devil. Forty days reminds me of the forty years that Israel was in the wilderness and tested. There are a lot of parallels in scripture like this. This is one way the Holy Spirit teaches us spiritual lessons. Testing and walking in the wilderness is a normal part of the Christian life. Temptation is a necessary part of the Christian life. The Lord Jesus taught us how to overcome temptation. If you compare this temptation with the temptation of the serpent and Eve you can see parallels. Also, the scripture in 1 John 2:16 sheds spiritual light upon these temptations as well.The Lord Jesus overcame the devil by staying in the word. He was abiding in the word of God. His heart and his mind was filled with the scriptures. He was filled with the word and he was filled with the Holy Spirit. This points us back to two types of manna in the wilderness: manna that tasted like honey (the word), and manna that tasted like fresh oil (Holy Spirit). Do you know what the third category of manna was in the wilderness? It was manna taken and put in a pot and hidden in the ark of the covenant. (Hebrews 9:4)The Lord Jesus had authority to overcome the devil because he walked in the word and walked in the Spirit. Any man who walks in the word and in the Holy Spirit receives the authority of God's kingdom to overcome the devil. We overcome the enemy by abiding in the word and the Spirit and by walking in the authority of God's Kingdom.God taught us this lesson in the wilderness. We cannot learn this in a classroom or by reading books. We learn by experience. Head knowledge helps but it is through experience we are changed into the image and likeness of the Lord Jesus Christ.The Lord Jesus went before us. He endured the temptations and much more in his earthly life. Consider him who endured. What can we learn from this? How can we apply this to our every day life situations?Here is a promise from scripture to help us. 1 Corinthians 10:13, "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."Christ died for our sins. He was buried, and he rose again on the third day. Everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord Jesus will be saved. The man who was crucified with Jesus asked the Lord Jesus to remember him when he came into his kingdom. The Lord Jesus told him that he would be with him that day in paradise. What can I do to be saved? Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mikekines.substack.com

Luke 3:1-38I'm taking this whole chapter at once because most of the second half of this chapter is a list of the genealogy of the Lord Jesus Christ. This genealogy is important but I'm not going to focus much on that in my notes here. Instead, I will focus on the ministry of John the Baptist in the first half of the chapter.Just as Gabriel and Zacharias prophesied the baby John grew up to become a prophet of the Lord. He fulfilled the word in Isaiah of a man who came to prepare the way of the Lord. He was a voice crying in the wilderness.What happened when John began to preach? Immediately the devil sent people to oppose this new work of God. John recognized the snakes and called them out.Verse 7, "O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?"Anytime the Lord sends a man of God to proclaim his word there will be opposition from the forces and powers of the devil. The power of Satan will be manifest by insincere people who are his mouthpiece.The prophet Jeremiah also suffered opposition from people like this. Even his own close relatives wanted to kill him. But God promised Jeremiah he would protect him and deliver him. (Jeremiah 15:20-21)The Lord delivered Jeremiah from the attack of evil men but in the case of John the Baptist God allowed him to be put in prison and eventually he lost his life. This is the case for many in the New Testament. The majority of the apostles and disciples lost their lives as a result of preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. We must be prepared for this.The Lord Jesus came to be baptized by John the Baptist. He did this to fulfill all righteousness. He had no sin himself but he came to identify himself completely with sinful man. God the Father set his seal of approval upon his Son at this time and the Holy Spirit descended upon the Lord Jesus Christ. Here we can plainly see that God is three in one: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.God is three in one. Prophet, priest, and king. Israel, church, and the nations. Three days and all will be complete in the New Jerusalem. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mikekines.substack.com

Luke 2:22-40In these scriptures we see angels from the Lord announcing the arrival of the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ. Angels appeared to Zacharias, Mary, and to shepherds. Here we see the proclamation of the Son of God was given to two prophets who were in the temple when Joseph and Mary brought the child there to present him to the Lord.The first prophet was Simeon. He was glad to see the child because it meant his earthly journey was almost over and he was ready to be with the Lord in heaven. He also blessed Mary and Joseph and had a personal word of prophecy for Mary that a sword would pierce her heart. No doubt this word was for when the Lord Jesus died upon the cross and Mary was there and saw him executed.The other prophet was Anna. She was a godly woman who had served God in fasting and praying for many years since her husband died. She also gave thanks to the Lord and acknowledged that this child was the promised Messiah of God.Once Joseph and Mary completed all the requirements of the law regarding a newborn son they returned to Nazareth and the Lord Jesus grew up, strong in spirit, and the grace of God was upon him. The scripture describes Jesus as being full of wisdom.This was a good example of how God used believers to confirm a word of God. It shows us how the church can work together to encourage one another and to build up the faith of one another. It also shows us that the Lord reveals specific truths to individuals and those individuals then have a responsibility to share with others.Every Christian should share the gospel of Jesus Christ. Christ died for our sins, he was buried, and he rose again on the third day. Let us encourage one another, share the gospel, and build up the faith of our brothers and sisters in Christ.Luke 2:41-52Mary and Joseph went up every year to the feast of the Passover at Jerusalem. When Jesus was twelve years old he went with them to Jerusalem. When the feast was over they went back home but Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem at the temple. They did not realize that Jesus was missing for an entire day! Finally they found him after three days!The Lord Jesus amazed the people who were in the temple with his questions. He listened to them and asked questions. Everyone who listened to him were amazed at his understanding and answers.Understandably Mary and Joseph were upset with Jesus when they found him. The Lord Jesus replied, "Didn't you know I had to be about my father's business?" Mary and Joseph did not understand his answer, which was a question.The Lord Jesus went with them down to Nazareth and was subject to them. Mary remembered all of these events in the life of Jesus and pondered them in her heart.The Lord Jesus continued to grow in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man.I don't think this account should be interpreted as Jesus being rebellious towards his parents. I don't think his attitude was one of rebellion. However, as in this example, we see in the life of Jesus many time people did not understand his purpose, his mission, and why he did what he did. Even his own disciples tried to stop him from going to the cross at Calvary. Jesus was not turned aside from this goal, and that was to complete his Father's will.How can we apply this to our life? Do we have this single minded goal and purpose? Is our goal in life to please God? Is our goal in life complete obedience to Gods' will for our life?Christ died for our sins, he was buried, and he rose again on the third day, according to the scriptures. Everyone who calls upon the name of Jesus is saved. Cry out to God most high, unto God who performs all things for us. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mikekines.substack.com

Luke 2:1-7The account of the birth of Jesus Christ was contained within a historical context. Luke recorded the names of Caesar Augustus, and Cyrenias. He described the Roman tax edict which forced people to relocate temporarily to their hometown. Through this movement of the government the Lord fulfilled his word that the Lord Jesus would be born in the city of Bethlehem. The King of kings and Lord of lords was born in a stable and laid in a manger. This was how God decided he would be born into the world. As a babe in a manger. This revealed something fundamental about the character and nature of God.It also shows us that the kingdom of God is radically different from the world system we live in. The world system is based upon the names of men who make themselves famous. They exalt their own names and in this way control other men. They force men to submit to their names and the more people they bring under their name the more power (provision, protection, and portion) they create. This is the way of Satan.The way of the Lord Jesus is completely opposite. The kingdom of God is not based on the pride of life. It is based on humility and love. Read Philippians chapter 2 to see a description of the humility of the Lord Jesus.When we truly understand this principle it reveals the stark contrast between the Lord Jesus and the way churches, businesses, and our daily lives are conducted in this world. We are far, far away from the kingdom of God in this current world system.This world is passing away. The Lord Jesus came into this world as a babe in a manger, and when he grew up he told others he had no place to lay his head. Those who followed him became like him. They lose more and more of this world but gain more and more of the kingdom of God.There was no room for them in the inn. This summarized the attitude of most people toward the Lord Jesus. They did not make any room for him in their lives. Yet he was the most important person who ever lived on this planet. He was greater than any king or president or celebrity who ever lived. Why can't people understand this? Because they have made their agreement with Satan and he blinded their eyes to the truth of the majesty and greatness of the Lord Jesus Christ. Their agreement with Satan blinded their eyes and they could not see the Lord Jesus Christ.Everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ is saved. Christ died for our sins, he was buried, and he rose again on the third day. Believe in your heart that God raised Jesus Christ from the dead, and confess with your mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord and you will be saved. Saved from self, saved from sin, saved from the devil, saved from this world system, and saved from a lake of fire.Luke 2:8-21Angels from heaven appeared to a group of shepherds in a field at night. The shepherds were terrified but the angels told them not to be afraid because they brought good news of the birth of the Messiah. The angels told the shepherds where to find the newborn Messiah. The sign to look for was a baby lying in a manger. Notice how much was made of the fact that the King of the Universe was born in a stable and laid in a manger. God was drawing attention to his character and his nature. Who is God? Look at this lowly stable and manger and behold the God of the Universe.The shepherds did what the angels said and found the Lord Jesus lying in the manger. They told everyone in that area about what they saw, heard, and experienced regarding the Lord Jesus Christ. This was normal for anyone who had truly come into contact with the Lord Jesus Christ.Joseph and Mary circumcised Jesus on the eighth day according to the law and gave him the name Jesus. He was given the name Jesus by the angel Gabriel before he was conceived, just like John the Baptist.God knows our name. Many people say that they know their Lord Jesus, but does Jesus know them? Does he know their name?Christ died for our sins, he was buried, and he rose from the dead on the third day. Everyone who calls upon the name of Jesus is saved. He is returning again to receive us unto himself that where he is we may be also. May the Lord Jesus return quickly to this earth and establish his kingdom over all the nations of the earth. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mikekines.substack.com

Luke 1:46-56Mary's response to the greeting of Elizabeth was to give praise and honor and glory to God. From her innermost being she gave praise to God and rejoiced in the Lord. She acknowledged it was the Lord who chose her and that she had done nothing to commend herself to God. It was the Lord who singled her out for the blessing of being the mother of the Messiah. She realized that all generations would remember her and consider her blessed by the Lord. This realization was her agreement with the truth stated by the angel Gabriel and her agreement with the words of Elizabeth. She did not lift herself up as someone to be praised but rather she acknowledged the truth about her participation in eternal history.Mary taught us something about the character and nature of God in her song of praise. She said that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. This is a revelation of God which goes through the entire Bible and it is the character of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord Jesus always opposed the proud and gave grace to the humble.Mary remembered the promise given to Abraham and his seed forever. Mary understood the promise of the Messiah which was the seed of the woman. This was revealed in Genesis when God promised the seed of the woman would bruise the head of the serpent. This prophecy was fulfilled at Calvary when the Lord Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day.Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise him all earth below! Hallelujah, for the Lord God Almighty reigns.Luke 1:57-66Elizabeth gave birth to John. Her relatives wanted to give him another name but she insisted on calling him John. Everyone was confused by this because usually a child was named after a close relative and there was no one in that family named John. The relatives turned to Zacharias to see what he wanted to name John. He asked for something to write on and he wrote the boy's name was John like the angel Gabriel told him. When Zacharias did this he was released from his dumbness and was able to speak again. The first thing he said was praise to God.We can learn a lot from the account of Elizabeth, Zacharias, and John. One thing I've learned is that when we obey God it sets us free. When Zacharias obeyed the Lord he was set free and able to speak again. Instead of unbelief he was filled with faith and praise to God.Another thought is that when God does something in our life it is never for just us alone. Everyone in that entire area was touched by what happened to Elizabeth, Zacharias, and John. Everyone was in awe and wonder at what God did and they all knew God had special plans for John. Everyone remembered what happened. They laid it up in their hearts which was the same phrase used to describe how Mary remembered everything which happened to her.I know in my life when God touched me I remember it. I had a few times in my life when God spoke to me or touched me and I never forgot. I stored up the works of God in my heart so I can remember in the future that God is real, and he loves me, and he has a plan for my life.Jesus Christ is God the Son and he is the Son of God. He died on the cross for our sins, he was buried, and he rose again on the third day. Everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved.Luke 1:67-80When Gabriel's word was fulfilled Zacharias got his voice back. He wrote down the name of his son was John and at that moment got his voice back.The first thing he did was give honor, glory, and praise to the Lord Jesus.I've noticed there is a pattern in this chapter. The angel Gabriel spoke to Zacharias and Mary and told them they would have sons, one a prophet, and the other the Messiah. These two accounts are tied together by the angel Gabriel. Also, in both cases, the fulfillment of the prophecy brought further prophecy out of the mouth of Mary and Zacharias. There is a multiplication of praise, worship, and proclaiming God's word. There is multiplied revelation of who God is and what God does in our lives.We see this continues even to this day. God's word stands before us. We receive God's word, we believe God's word, and as a result, our lives bring honor, glory, and praise to God. We open our mouth and we speak and the Lord speaks through us to others. The word of God is not bound by time, or space, or distance. The word of God is not bound, but continues to multiply, and spread, and touch the lives of those who hear, receive, and believe. We become a vessel of God's word to reach the next generation of those who hear, receive, and believe.Zacharias knew the plan of God for the life of his son John. He said that John was a prophet and would go before the Lord to prepare the way for him.Verse 80, "And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel."There's a lot packed in that verse. We grow stronger spiritually when we are hid with God in the desert. It is through suffering that we learn obedience. It is on the backside of the desert that we learn how weak and helpless we are. It is in that place we are humbled and so we learn that we do not live by bread alone but by every word which proceeds from the mouth of the Lord do we live. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mikekines.substack.com

Luke 1:26-38Six months after Gabriel appeared to Zacharias at the temple he also appeared to Mary. He told her that she would have a son and his name would be called Jesus. Gabriel told Mary that Jesus would be great and would be called the Son of the Highest and that the Lord God would give him the throne of his father David. He would reign over the house of Jacob and his kingdom would have no end.Part of this prophecy from Gabriel is still yet in our future today. The Lord Jesus will yet return to the earth and sit upon the throne of David in Jerusalem and reign over all the nations of the earth with a rod of iron. This is described for us in the book of Revelation.Mary had questions about how this prophecy would happen but she did not have an attitude of unbelief as Zacharias. She was not disciplined or rebuked in the same way as Zacharias. Mary believed the word which the angel spoke to her.The angel told Mary that the Holy Ghost would come upon her and she would conceive a son. The angel told Mary that her cousin Elisabeth was also expecting a son.Verse 37, "For with God nothing shall be impossible."I need to remember this in my life. With God nothing is impossible. I have hope because I do not yet know what the Lord can do in my life. Consider the account of Job in the Bible and remember that the Lord is merciful and filled with compassion for his servants.Nothing is impossible with the Lord.Mary believed the message from Gabriel.Within this prophecy from Gabriel we also have a future hope that the Lord Jesus will return again to this earth and reign over the nation of Israel. We have not yet seen the complete fulfillment of this prophecy. However, since we know that the word which Gabriel said to Mary was fulfilled we know also that the rest of this prophecy will be fulfilled as well. The Lord Jesus will sit upon the throne of David and rule over the nation of Israel. Do we believe this message as Mary did? Or do we have the attitude of Zacharias who did not believe and was rebuked by the Lord.Let us have faith and believe in God's word. Nothing is impossible with the Lord. He is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we could ever ask or think.Luke 1:39-45Elizabeth receives a revelation when she was filled with the Holy Spirit. What did she know? She knew that Mary was carrying a baby who was the Messiah. She said that Mary was the mother of her Lord. She also knew that Mary believed the word from the angel Gabriel. This stands in contrast to Zacharias who did not believe the word of the angel and was disciplined for his unbelief.I don't think Elizabeth knew this information before Mary came to visit her simply because of how this was recorded by Luke. This was the first contact Mary and Elizabeth had and it seems from a straight forward reading of these verses that Elizabeth did not know any of these things before Mary showed up. She received knowledge from the Holy Spirit when she heard Mary's greeting. This might be called a "word of knowledge" from the Lord and it is a very real spiritual gift from the Holy Spirit. Revelation like this from the Lord is real.What did Elizabeth say? She called Mary "blessed" and also the fruit of her womb "blessed". She was blessed because God chose her to be the mother of the Lord Jesus Christ.There was great humility in Elizabeth's words. She was surprised that the mother of the Messiah would come and visit her. This shows that Elizabeth did not think of herself more highly than she ought but she considered herself with sober judgment.She shared with Mary that the baby inside her leaped with joy when he heard the voice of Mary. This shows there was a deep connection between John the Baptist and the Lord Jesus Christ. That connection was the Holy Spirit of God.Christian brothers and sisters have this connection as well. I've never known in my life more joy than when I find a true brother in Christ. It is truly the greatest joy in my life to fellowship with another brother in Christ and to encourage one another in our faith in the Lord Jesus. Some of my greatest moments of happiness were over an open Bible with another brother or sister in Christ.This passage also reminds me of how important it is to show hospitality to others and be ready to drop everything when someone shows up. You never know you might be entertaining angels without realizing it. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mikekines.substack.com

Luke 1:1-4Luke dedicated this historical record of the life of Jesus Christ to his friend Theophilus. From the way this dedication was worded we assume Theophilus was an important person. Evidently he was a Christian and knew Luke in some capacity. Luke wrote this account of the life of Jesus Christ to help Theophilus and also provided a document which was included in the canon of the Holy Bible.The gospel of Luke is scripture and is inspired by the Holy Spirit to help us understand the history of the Lord Jesus Christ, his life, his ministry, his death, and his resurrection. Luke also recorded the history of the early church in the book of Acts.The gospel of Luke is different in that it records the history of how the Lord Jesus was born in a manger, the events surrounding his birth, and his early life.Luke was included in what theologians call the synoptic gospels, which is Matthew, Mark, and Luke.Though Luke may have written this for one person it has touched millions of lives. How often do we in our Christian life think we are just helping one person, but in the end, we may find out that many lives were touched through our serving one person. We won't know until we get to heaven how many others were blessed through our helping one person.Luke 1:5-25Zacharias served in the temple as a priest burning incense. He was part of a large group of people who took turn serving in the temple. It was his turn and when he went in to burn the incense an angel appeared to him. This angel had a message for Zacharias. The name of the angel was Gabriel. How do we know this? The angel told Zacharias his name. Gabriel told him his name when he rebuked him. Zacharias did not believe Gabriel's message.Gabriel's message was that Zacharias' wife would have a son who would grow up to be a prophet. His son, who became John the Baptist, would prepare the way for the Messiah, the Lord Jesus. As we learn in this chapter, these were all related to one another. Zacharias' wife, Elisabeth, was related to Mary the mother of Jesus. Jesus and John the Baptist were cousins.Gabriel told Zacharias to name the son John and gave specific instructions on how the boy would be raised and grow up. These instructions were similar to the laws regarding a Nazarite in the Old Testament. It was also similar to instructions that an angel gave to the parents of Samson in the book of Judges.Because Zacharias did not believe the message he was stricken dumb until John was born. He was disciplined for his unbelief by the angel. Unbelief at God's word is very dangerous. We should hear God's word's, receive God's word, and believe God's word. Walk in agreement with the truth in God's word.When the time of his ministry was complete Zacharias returned home. Everyone knew something happened to him in the temple and that he had a vision.Angels are real. God sends angels to intervene in the lives of people on earth. Sometimes God sends an angel to give a message to people under certain circumstances. Whatever message an angel has it should not contradict the written word of God. If it does then the angel is not from the Lord but is false. Also, an angel will never accept worship. An angel from the Lord will point you to the Lord Jesus Christ and not to its own self.God hears our prayers. This is an example of how a man prayed for something but evidently did not have faith his prayer would be answered. Another example of this is in the book of Acts when Christians prayed for Peter to be released and when he was released they did not believe it. It is interesting to me how God answers some prayers when people do not really have faith the prayer will be answered. This fact contradicts the false doctrine of the prosperity gospel.This chapter is filled with the supernatural. When Christians try to minimize the supernatural part of the Bible they end up with dry morality and dead religion like Zacharias. Obviously Zacharias went through the religious routines. He did not expect to hear from God or receive an answer to his prayer. We should have an attitude of expecting God to hear our prayer and answer our prayer. Let's sing the song of faith before the Red Sea is parted. Before we are delivered let us praise God for the deliverance so that we can learn more of who the Lord is and experience his presence in our lives. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mikekines.substack.com

The Resurrection – Mark 16The gospel of Mark is an abbreviated synopsis of events which were further expanded on in Matthew and Luke.The Lord Jesus first appeared to Mary out of whom he he had previously cast out demons. He appeared to this Mary of Magdalene. She then related to the disciples that the Lord Jesus was alive. The disciples did not believe her testimony. The Lord Jesus appeared to two disciples on the road to Emmaus, but the disciples did not believe their testimony either. Finally the Lord Jesus appeared to all of the disciples at once and he rebuked them for their unbelief.I wonder why the Lord Jesus appeared to Mary first. She became the first person to announce the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.The Lord Jesus was raised from the dead on the third day. When the women who had followed Jesus went to his tomb on that day to put spices on his body they discovered the tomb was opened and an angel was there. The angel told them that Jesus of Nazareth, who died from crucifixion and was buried, was now raised from the dead. He told the women to tell the other disciples and Peter that he would go before them into Galilee.The Lord Jesus gave his disciples the great commission and told them to preach the gospel. He said that those who worked with him in preaching the gospel would be followed by signs such as speaking in new tongues, driving out demons, healing from snake bites, and also healing from any poison. The Lord Jesus said that those who followed him would lay hands on the sick and they would recover.After he gave his disciples instructions he was taken up to heaven and sat at the right hand of God. Here again we have evidence that God is three in one. He is one God in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.1 Corinthians 15:1-4, "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:"Romans 10:9-10, 13, "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mikekines.substack.com

The Crucifixion, Death, and Burial of Jesus – Mark 151 Corinthians 15:3-4, "For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures"After the unlawful trial the Lord Jesus endured he was handed over to Pilate by the religious leaders. They did this because they did not have the legal authority to crucify anyone. The religious leaders lost their authority to execute people. Later in the book of Acts when they killed Stephen it was illegal. In the case of the Lord the religious leaders took Jesus to Pilate to have him executed by Roman crucifixion. They knew they could put political pressure on Pilate to crucify the Lord Jesus.Pilate never found the Lord Jesus guilty of anything. He realized it was for envy the religious leaders handed him over. Though Pilate never convicted Jesus of any crime he handed him over to be crucified. The Lord Jesus suffered by the Romans and was led away to the cross.A Satanic frenzy came upon the crowd in Jerusalem, and they screamed for the blood of Christ. They screamed in the streets: "Crucify him! Crucify him!"The soldiers mocked Christ when he was turned over to them. They twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head. They found a purple robe and draped it around him. They bowed down to him and said, "Hail King of the Jews!"The Lord Jesus could not carry his cross all the way to Calvary, but had help to carry the cross. Even today the Lord Jesus needs people to bear the cross with him. The Lord Jesus wants to partner with us in this generation to bring the message of the gospel to this lost generation.He was crucified between two thieves. While he hung there the crowds asked the question, "If he is the Christ, why doesn't he save himself?" This question showed that they did not understand that Christ had to suffer and die for their sins.Before Jesus died he cried out: "My God, my God! Why have you forsaken me?"At this point all the sins that ever have been or ever will be were placed upon the Lord Jesus Christ. He bore the sins of many and made atonement by his death on the cross.When Jesus died on the cross a Roman centurion rendered the verdict of Jesus Christ. Mark 15:39, "And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God." A Roman soldier could see the truth about the Lord Jesus but the religious leaders did not.After the Lord died he was buried by his friends. He was buried in a tomb which belonged to Joseph of Arimathaea.The Lord Jesus was accused of blasphemy for being who he was. The Lord Jesus was the Son of God. He is God the Son. For this reason he was condemned by the religious leaders and murdered by the Roman government. Those who belong to the Lord Jesus Christ also experience similar treatment from the religious world and the secular world.Christians do not belong to this world. Our kingdom will come one day. Until then, we must deny ourselves, take up the cross, and follow the Lord Jesus Christ.Philippians 2:5-11, "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mikekines.substack.com

Betrayed, Arrested, Denied – Mark 14Mark 14:27-28, "And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered. But after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee."In this chapter the Lord Jesus was betrayed by Judas, he was arrested, and he was denied by Peter.The Lord knew these things would happen before they happened. He prophesied about the betrayal of Judas and the denial by Peter. He told them he would be taken, that he would die, and that he would rise again. He told them he would go before them into Galilee.They did not believe him. Judas did not think that what he did was betrayal at that moment. Peter did not believe he would deny Jesus. None of them believed the Lord Jesus would die. None believed that he would rise again and go before them into Galilee. Yet everything the Lord Jesus said would happen did happen just like he said it would.God's word is filled with prophecy about what is happening in our world around us at this moment. The Bible is filled with prophecy about the rapture of the church, the seven years of tribulation, the rise of the man of sin, the second coming of Jesus Christ. When people believe in God's word they can see these things taking shape in the world all around us.The disciples knew that something sorrowful was happening. They saw the Lord Jesus mourn in the garden of Gethsemane. A supernatural weariness came upon them and they were unable to keep their eyes open while the Lord Jesus walked through this final trial by himself. The Lord Jesus urged them to watch and pray.This scene in the garden of Gethsemane is replaying again today in the church. There are incredible prophecies coming to pass in our time and yet for the most part the church is asleep. They do not see what is happening right now. The Lord Jesus urges us to watch and to pray. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.The religious leaders were determined to kill the Lord Jesus. His trial did not prove that the Lord Jesus was guilty of anything but what he always said. He was the Son of God. For this statement the religious leaders said he was a blasphemer and worthy of death. However, the Lord Jesus did not blaspheme. He told them the truth. He told them exactly what would happen. For this they were ready to kill him. Instead of believing in God's word they followed the work of the devil and allowed murder to enter their hearts. The story of Cain and Abel is repeated over and over.The same is always true. When men do not believe in God their hearts are filled with the work of the devil.John 8:37-38, "I know that ye are Abraham's seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you. I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father."John 8:44-47, "Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not. Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me? He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God."Do not be a follower of self, sin, the world, and the devil. Instead, humble yourself, deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Jesus. Throw away your opinions and seek the Lord while he may be found. Let us call upon the Lord while he is near. Everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved. (1 Peter 5:6, Luke 9:23, Isaiah 55:6, Romans 10:13). This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mikekines.substack.com

The Last Days – Mark 13The disciples thought the buildings were a big deal and pointed it out to the Lord Jesus. His reply was that all the buildings would be destroyed. This inspired the disciples to think about about the end of the world because they questioned him about this.The Lord Jesus responded to them and went into great detail. Some things he covered included symptoms of the last days and important facts about the end days.The Lord Jesus warned there would be much deception. People would claim they are "I AM" which was the Hebrew term for Yahweh or God. Sadly, this is happening now in the word of faith cult with people like Kenneth Hagin, Kenneth Copeland, and others in this movement calling themselves gods. This points back to the Garden of Eden when Satan told Eve she could be a god if she ate the fruit. Many people try to ascend to their "higher selves" and achieve "godhood". Mormonism is an example, as is the New Age movement, along with the Word of Faith cult. Joel Osteen said Mormons are Christians. Of course he does. They believe the same fundamental thing that men are gods. They believe they can speak things into existence with positive confession. This is witchcraft. These people in the word of faith cult are as satanic as Joseph Smith and the Mormon church.The Lord Jesus warned the disciples that following Christ would not be easy. It never was easy to be a Christian because the world hates true Christians. The Lord Jesus told us this ahead of time. In the last days it is especially terrible and the Lord Jesus warned because of Christian persecution that doors would open for us to be a witness to the world.There is also many signs surrounding the end of the world such as earthquakes, famines, and wars. What century has ever seen as much war as last century, during the 20th Century, when we saw two world wars, and countless smaller wars that happened. I've heard there are now more earthquakes than ever before and that the weather is changing rapidly. There are specific signs that take place immediately before the second coming of Christ which include stars falling out of the sky and the heavens being shaken.The Lord Jesus said there was no use trying to figure out the day or the hour when all this would happen. It is best to always be ready and to live in view of the imminent return of the Lord Jesus Christ. When he comes there won't be time to get ready so you must get ready right now.The Lord Jesus said in verse 31, "Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away." Amen, forever, oh Lord, thy word is settled in heaven.Mark 13:5, "And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you:"When the Lord Jesus described the end of the age and the last days he warned his disciples not to be deceived. He said to them to take heed lest any man deceive you. One of the signs which show we are at the end of the age is mass deception and delusion.The Lord Jesus described events which could be interpreted happening in AD 70 when Rome destroyed Jerusalem and the Jewish temple. There was no abomination of desolation in AD 70. That happened between the Old Testament and the New Testament before Christ was born. Antiochus Epiphanes erected an abomination of desolation in the temple which led to the Maccabean revolt during the history of the Jews before Jesus was born. How could Jesus speak of a past event as something yet in the future?To understand this we have to view prophecy in the same way the Hebrew mind views prophecy.In the Hebrew mind prophecy is a pattern in history. In the Greek mind prophecy is like fortune telling: an event is predicted and happens.In the Hebrew mind prophecy is seeing a pattern of God in history and knowing it will happen in the future based upon seeing the pattern of God and knowing the character of God.No one ever saw the pattern of God better than Jesus Christ. He clearly saw a time which would be like what happened with the previous abomination of desolation in the temple. A time of great evil would come again upon the Jewish people in the last days.What the Lord Jesus described here pointed to a period of time which was also known as Jacob's trouble, or the Great Tribulation.He concluded by saying to be watchful for the return of the Lord Jesus. When he returned it would be in the same way he ascended to heaven. Don't believe false prophets who claim to be the Messiah. In the last days many will be deceived by supernatural powers which liars use to deceive people.The Lord told us how things will be so we can prepare. The Lord's people are not in darkness but they are of the light. Therefore let us wake up to the day in which we live. We should not to be afraid but prepare ourselves for the return of the Lord Jesus. Be alert and always keep on watching for the return of the Lord Jesus. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mikekines.substack.com

The Lord Jesus Examined – Mark 12The Lord Jesus told a parable the Pharisees could understand. It was a parable that they guessed correctly that the Lord Jesus implied that they were villains. The villains in the story were thieves and murderers and this was what the Lord Jesus thought about the religious leaders.The religious leaders had some trick questions for the Lord Jesus. They questioned the Lord Jesus about paying taxes. Perhaps they would catch him between legal obligation to the government and the resentment felt among the people toward the Romans. They thought they could make him either a tax-evader or force him to lose favor with the crowd.Of course, the trick did not work. The Lord Jesus said, "Render unto Caesar's what is Caesar's, and unto God what is God's." The coin was made in Caesar's image but man was made in the image of God. This reply surprised them and it made the common people rejoice because of him.Next they asked the Lord Jesus a hypothetical question. An imaginary scenario was created by the questioner regarding marriage and resurrection. The Lord Jesus said they did not know the Bible or the power of God. The Lord Jesus reaffirmed that there will be a resurrection.Another question put to Jesus: what was the greatest commandment? After he answered this it appeared the questioner only half-heartedly tried to trick the Lord Jesus. The Lord Jesus gave him a compliment. Perhaps this was a sincere question from that man.The Lord Jesus asked the final question: whose son is the Christ? This question seemed easy but when they gave their reply the Lord Jesus asked a follow-up question: "David himself calls him 'Lord'. How then can he be his son?"The Lord Jesus commended a poor widow's offering. This shows God is always mindful of the smallest sacrifices we make. He remembers the good we do even if we give a cup of cold water to one of his disciples.The Lord Jesus told a parable against the religious leaders. In turn they tried to trap him with religious questions about paying taxes, marriage, the resurrection, and the greatest commandment. The Lord Jesus answered all the questions and asked them a question.The question the Lord Jesus asked them pointed to the Son of David as the Son of God. How can David, in the Spirit, call his son "Lord"? The only answer was that the Son of David was also the Son of God. These religious leaders were unable to accept this.This is where religious people, false religions, and unbelievers attack. They attack the fact that the Lord Jesus is both fully man and fully God. If the Lord Jesus were not God he would not be sinless. If he were not sinless he could not have been the Lamb of God who took away our sin. However, we know the scripture teaches that the Lord Jesus is the Son of God and is completely sinless.Mark 1:1, "The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God;"Mark 15:39, "And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God."John 9:35-38, "Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God? He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him? And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee. And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him."1 Peter 1:19, "But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:"Hebrews 4:15, "For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin."All the questions the religious leaders asked were hypocritical. They did not ask questions to find the truth but instead to trap the Lord Jesus in his words so they would have a reason to accuse him.The Lord Jesus told his disciples to beware of the religious leaders and not to follow their example. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mikekines.substack.com

Have Faith In God – Mark 11The Lord Jesus went to Jerusalem and Calvary. Up until this specific time whenever the Lord Jesus healed people he told them not to tell others. He kept things private as possible and seemed to move around undercover when he could. He didn't want to attract attention. Now this changed as he headed toward Jerusalem and Calvary.The common people and children were happy to hail him as the King and Messiah. They sang his praises as he made his triumphal entry into Jerusalem.The Lord Jesus went into the temple and cleansed it. He taught his disciples that in order to accomplish anything with God that a person must have faith and must be in a right relationship with God and man. Forgiving people is basic to faith in God.Mark 11:22, "And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God."While he traveled the Lord Jesus cursed a fig tree which had no fruit. Later the disciples noticed the tree was dried up and were amazed at how quickly the tree had died. When they brought this to the attention of the Lord Jesus he replied, "Have faith in God." He explained to them that if they had faith then what they said would be done. He described the authority a faith-filled believer has to create change in the world. He tied this to a right relationship with people and God. We cannot separate faith in God from a right relationship with people. Both go together.Today men have faith in many things. Some believe in philosophy, science, or world religions. Some boast in an absence of faith. Men put their heart and energy into self worship. This is the essence of sin – worship of self – and being conformed to the world system. In principle this is living in agreement with the devil. When men do not put faith in God they put faith in themselves which leads to existing like Satan. Satan only worships self. This is what men do when they do not put their faith in God.The Lord Jesus did not teach us to put faith in faith itself. Some have taught that as long as you have faith it does not matter what the object of your faith is. This is a spiritual disaster because God has made man in such a way that man becomes like whatever he worships. When men worship worthless objects they become worthless. Another word for worthless in the Bible is "reprobate".The Lord Jesus Christ is God and He is Man. He is the God Man. He became a man to save us from ourselves, from sin, from this world, and from the devil. He redeemed us with his blood which he shed upon the cross. He died, was buried, and rose again the third day. All those who put their faith in the Lord Jesus are united with him and become one with him in death, burial, and resurrection. We become a new creation in Christ Jesus. Old things pass away and all things become new. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mikekines.substack.com

Son of David – Mark 10The Lord Jesus corrected people on several areas and situations which arose as they traveled. These subjects included divorce, God's attitude toward children, and those things which hinder a person from having a right relationship with God.The Lord Jesus said divorce was wrong and said in the beginning God created a man and a woman to be together for life. There was no divorce in God's plan for the family. Divorce was a result of the hardness of the heart of man.The Lord Jesus loved children and did not stop them from approaching him. This was encouraging to me to know that one can approach the Lord Jesus without fear of rejection.Some people believe you can say a prayer and are saved but the Lord Jesus dealt with the obstacles in a young man's life which prevented him from a right relationship with God. The obstacle in this particular man's life was money. This is a common obstacle in many lives. (1 Timothy 6).The Lord Jesus again prophesied what would happen to him. He described his crucifixion, death, and resurrection. They did not understand.Contrast the Lord's attitude of humility, being a servant, and a suffering Savior with the attitude of the disciples who argued about who was the greatest and who would have seats of power at the Lord's left and right hand in his kingdom.The Lord Jesus was merciful and healed a man who was blind.Mark 10:47-48, "And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me. And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me."When dealing with religious leaders the Lord Jesus used their law and provided them the correct interpretation and application of it. The disciples said they left everything to follow the Lord Jesus. The Lord promised they would be rewarded.There was a man who cried out to the Lord Jesus for mercy. He knew who the Lord Jesus was. He called the Lord Jesus "thou Son of David". He knew the Lord Jesus was the Messiah and if he could only get the Lord's attention he could be healed.He cried out to the Lord Jesus and the crowd told him to be quiet but he cried out louder. The Lord Jesus heard his cry and asked him what he wanted. He said he wanted to see. The Lord Jesus spoke a word and the man received his sight. The Lord Jesus said to him, "Go thy way thy faith hath made thee whole." The Lord Jesus gave him permission to go his way but the man followed the Lord Jesus after he received his sight.Who is the Lord Jesus? It is important everyone knows who he is. He is the Messiah, the Christ, the King of the Jews, the King of all the nations. He will return to this earth and reign over all the nations. He is the judge of all men. Every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mikekines.substack.com

The Transfiguration of Jesus Christ – Mark 9Could it be possible the Heavenly Father allowed this transfiguration to encourage the Lord Jesus? It seemed that shortly thereafter he was very focused on what was coming up. He told his disciples point blank what would happen. He told them he would be betrayed and killed and rise again the third day. They did not understand what the Lord Jesus said and were afraid to ask.The Lord Jesus cast another demon out of a boy. The boy's father admitted his doubts to the Lord Jesus, but then said, "I believe, help my unbelief!" How much like myself! I can relate to this guy.The disciples caught somebody attempting to drive out demons. He was not within the inner circle of the disciples so they tried to stop him.The Lord Jesus told his disciples if someone did something positive in his name then they couldn't turn around and say something critical of the Lord Jesus. He said "whoever is for us cannot be against us". I wonder how I can be apply that in my life?The Lord Jesus warned his disciples about the dangers of hellfire and the consequences for offending one of the little ones. Perhaps the little ones were new disciples or baby Christians?Mark 9:2-3, "And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them. And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them."The Lord Jesus took certain disciples with him into a high mountain. Peter, James, and John went with him, and the Lord Jesus was transfigured. What does "transfigured" mean?The Lord Jesus was changed. He was transformed. His appearance revealed the kingdom of God to the disciples. He said earlier that some would see the kingdom of God. This transfiguration was in some way a revelation of the kingdom of God.He was described as wearing clothes which were whiter than anyone on earth could make them. No bleach could make his clothes that white. It was a purity and a holiness this earth cannot reproduce.Why did the Lord allow the disciples to see him like this? They also heard the voice of Father God which said that the Lord Jesus was his son in whom he was well pleased. His command was to hear what Jesus spoke. We were commanded to listen to the voice of the Lord Jesus.Peter later reflected back on this experience in his epistle.2 Peter 1:16-18, "For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount."One important idea we can take from the transfiguration of the Lord Jesus is the truth that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is God the Son. This is a fact about the Lord Jesus which is attacked by the enemy but it is the fact which sets the Lord Jesus apart from everyone else. He is the Son of God. He is the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to God except through the Lord Jesus Christ. (John 14:6) He is the express image of God. He is the revelation of God. Jesus Christ is God.Colossians 1:15-19, "Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;"Colossians 2:9, "For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily."God is three in one. He is one God in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mikekines.substack.com

Taking Up The Cross – Mark 8Yeast represented the mixing of sin and unbelief with external religious practice in contrast to a heartfelt faith and obedience to the Lord.The disciples saw powerful miracles the Lord Jesus did such as the feeding of thousands with only a few loaves and fish. However, they had difficulty applying the truth behind these miracles to their lives.The parting of the Red Sea did not leave an impression on Israel (at that time) to inspire faith. If one doesn't believe God's Word one will not be convinced even if a miracle such as resurrection from the dead happens.Human sin is so deceitful it conjures explanations for anything miraculous. Yet at the same time men lust after the supernatural.Peter understood the Lord Jesus was the Messiah but he did not understand the mission of Christ. The Lord Jesus rebuked Peter when he suggested an alternate way to God's plan of salvation. This was similar to the verse that Moses knew God's ways but Israel only knew God's acts.The Lord Jesus knew where he came from and where he was going. He set his face like flint towards Calvary, regardless of the opinions of family, his disciples, his critics: he set his face like a flint towards Calvary to obey and fulfill the plan of his Heavenly Father.Mark 8:34-35, "Then Jesus called the crowd to himself along with his disciples and told them, If anyone wants to follow me, he must deny himself, pick up his cross, and follow me continually, because whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and for the gospel will save it."The Lord Jesus fed people with bread and fish. He blessed the food and it multiplied to feed thousands of people. Later he warned his disciples to beware of the leaven of the religious leaders. They misunderstood and thought he talked about literal bread. He rebuked them for thinking like this especially in light of the fact that he created miraculous bread to feed thousands of people in front of them.This demonstrated the depravity of unbelief in the heart of men. Even those who were eye witnesses to miracles had problems with unbelief in their heart. This proved that a miraculous sign does not convince people of the truth.I am reminded of how I should keep quiet about miracles in my own life. When people do not believe me I am putting them in a position of accountability they may not be ready for. I am reminded I should only preach the gospel to people and not share events in my own life. The Lord does not take lightly the unbelief of people in the face of seeing or hearing of miracles.Here again I am reminded of the foundational doctrine of denying self. The Lord Jesus told us again that a Christian must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Jesus. We cannot follow our own self and follow Jesus at the same time. Following Jesus means we forsake our own lives. Each person must be taught by the Holy Spirit how this applies in their own personal situation. If we receive the love of the truth then we will be taught by the Holy Spirit to deny our self and follow Jesus. To follow Jesus is to imitate what he did. What did Jesus do? He did not do anything in his own name but he did everything in the name of his Father.In the same way we do not promote ourselves but instead do all in the name of the Lord Jesus and for the glory of God.If a man attempts to preserve his life he will ultimately lose it. We cannot create our own life. We are not God no matter what the world tries to tell us. We are God's creation. When we offer ourselves completely to God then we find the true purpose and meaning of life. We are created to serve God, worship God, and lay down our life for his kingdom. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mikekines.substack.com

Confronting The Religious Leaders – Mark 7The religious leaders tried to correct the Lord Jesus. They said his disciples did not follow the religious traditions of washing hands before eating. The Lord Jesus turned the tables on them and corrected them for following the traditions of men rather than God's commandments.The religious leaders worried because the followers of Jesus did not wash their hands. This was in violation of their religious tradition and so they attacked the Lord Jesus because he did not follow their religious rules.The Lord called them hypocrites and quoted scripture to point out their hypocrisy.He then went in-depth to explain the difference between external religion of self-worship and what really makes a man unclean.The Lord Jesus said it wasn't what we eat or what we don't eat that has moral importance. What is important is what is in a person's heart. What comes out of a man's heart is what defiles the man.By saying this the Lord Jesus declared all foods were clean for us to eat. It is important to remember this because most cults will eventually get into dietary rules and laws.After the Lord Jesus corrected the religious leaders his disciples asked for an explanation. He explained that what a man ate did not make him unclean but what was in the heart made a man unclean. This showed the difference between external religion and a true relationship with God from the heart. Many people pretend to love God by acting religious but their heart is far away from God. This was a fulfillment of what Isaiah wrote: "This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me."This issue was further expounded on by Paul in Romans chapter 14.In contrast to the religious leaders who criticized the Lord Jesus there was a Gentile woman who came to him and asked for help. It appeared as though the Lord Jesus was tough on her but he still granted her request because she didn't give up. Perhaps this was also a lesson for his Jewish disciples that God loves Gentiles, too?The Gentile woman asked for help from Jesus for her demon possessed daughter. Some might think that the Lord Jesus was cruel to the woman. Knowing the Lord Jesus from all of the gospel accounts and how many times he was moved by compassion, however, we know the Lord Jesus was not cruel to this woman. His response was designed to draw out faith and demonstrate to his Jewish disciples that Gentiles also have faith in God and receive salvation from God.The Lord Jesus used creative ways to heal people. Here he used a little spit to heal a deaf-mute.The Lord Jesus healed the deaf mute man. The Lord Jesus put his fingers in the man's ears, then spit, and touched the man's tongue with his finger. In this way the man could hear and his tongue was loosed so he could speak.The detail in the description of the Lord Jesus healing this man is further proof that this was a historical account of what the Lord Jesus did. All the scriptures are inspired by God and are true. We can put our complete trust and faith in these gospel accounts of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mikekines.substack.com