"But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous." -Luke 14:13-14

How often do I invite the poor, crippled, lame, and blind to my social gatherings? God did not bless me to live a self-centered life, nor did he surround me with community to become a clique.

Reach out today for there is blessing in giving what cannot be repaid.

"So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, 'For three years now I've been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven't found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?'" -Luke 13:7

How many three years have I wasted? And how many more will I waste? I can not keep receiving and receiving.

God does not  give me endless second chances
and will not  tolerate lack of productivity forever.

"but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her." -Luke 10:42

There are tasks or people that make us pressed for time. We tend to prioritise those needs over our ultimate and true need to spend time at Jesus' feet and hear his word.

Seek the better, don't settle for the good.

"The Jews gathered around him, saying, 'How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.' Jesus answered, 'I did tell you, but you do not believe." -John 10:24-25

The Jews were constantly questioning Jesus and the people he healed. They wanted to trip people up and accuse their acknowledgement of Jesus as God. How many times do I need someone to tell me something before I believe?

Stop seeking the answer I want to hear;
listen and accept what is being answered.

"Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground." -John 8:8

I would love to know what Jesus wrote on the ground that day. But that's not the main point. Jesus could have carried out punishment in accordance with Jewish law. But he didn't. He eased the tension in humility and reminded us that we have no right to condemn.

Jesus offers us a new life amid a deserving death penalty.

"He called a little child and had him stand among them." -Matthew 18:2

This child was not scared of Jesus. He willingly came to Jesus when he was called. How do I see Jesus when he calls me to come?

It is safe to come to Jesus.

"They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, 'What were you arguing about on the road?' But they kept quiet because on the way they had argue about who was the greatest." -Mark 9:33-34

How do I feel when Jesus asks me, "what were you doing or talking about?" Ashamed? Guilty? Jesus sees and hears everything even if he wasn't physically present with me.

What conversation would I not want Jesus to know about?