This week, we focus on a powerful story of redemption and worship. Luke shows us a woman whose life is radically changed by Jesus, and she is not afraid to let others know. More importantly, we see how Jesus responds to people who show their love for Him.
Let’s jump into this powerful story and see how Jesus responds to those who worship Him.

Despair is “the feeling that there is no hope and you can do nothing to improve a difficult or worrying situation.” Often, despair begins with a catastrophic loss or a bewildering circumstance that plants fear in our hearts. Gradually, hopelessness takes root, convincing us that no one, not even God, can help.

As missionaries, it’s easy to slip into despair. Sherry and I are witnesses to the devastating face of poverty. Daily we are barraged by children, mothers, and the disabled who see us as a momentary solution to their dilemma. Our hearts are crushed by the sheer volume of need surrounding us. We have to guard our hearts or be overwhelmed to the point of despair.

The book of Luke is widely known for giving us one of the best accounts of the compassion of Jesus. One of the commentaries I use to study the book of Luke is called Be Compassionate: Let the World Know that Jesus Cares by Warren Wiersbe. Luke records numerous events where Jesus is “moved with compassion.”

So far, I have written about the first six chapters of Luke, including Jesus’s birth, genealogy, temptation in the wilderness, calling of disciples, and major teachings in the Beatitudes and The Sermon on the Plain. Chapter seven signifies a shift from teaching to doing. The seventh chapter gives us a quick-fire introduction to the compassionate Christ.

Last week Sherry and I were honored to attend the Annual General Meeting (General Council) of the Burundi Assembly of God Fellowship (BAGF). The history of the BAGF is short and full of God’s graceful action. Founded in 2001 during the last few years of a prolonged civil war, the BAGF has weathered incredible difficulties and emerged victorious.

Sherry and I spent the last 13 days on Uganda’s eastern border with Kenya, in the town of Tororo. I had the privilege of teaching Old Testament Survey to the executive leaders of the Uganda Assembly of God. These are men and women of God who are laboring well under some very difficult circumstances. They are bearing good fruit! We’ve enjoyed getting to know these co-laborers in the gospel, and learned so much from their input and insights on the Scriptures.

Has anyone ever quoted Luke 6:37 to you? Well, at least the part that says, “judge not?” I certainly have had that happen in my life. Sometimes as Christians, we are afraid to say anything or do anything about a situation because we know that no matter what we do, we will be called “judgmental.”

In the past, the most quoted Bible verse was John 3:16; today, it is Luke 6:37. I find it hilarious that many who do not submit to the authority of Scripture are so quick to use it when it suits them. Oops, was that statement judgmental? Did I say something that made others take a hard look at their behavior?

At SUM Bible College and Theological Seminary, I taught the undergraduate course in hermeneutics (Bible interpretation). It is one of my favorite classes to teach because I love helping others rightly understand God’s Word for themselves. When I teach people how to study the Bible, I frequently state, “Never form church doctrine or personal spiritual discipline on just one passage.” To properly understand the WHOLE teaching of God about a subject, you must see the BID PICTURE of the WHOLE Bible – not just one or two verses.