This third inspiring and insightful daily biblical life-application book is compiled from another selection of Jeff Lucas’ Bible-reading notes and will challenge and convict the reader, as well as make them laugh. It will help them to get to grips with God’s Word in a whole new way, encouraging them to grow in biblical understanding and spirituality throughout the year. In this one-year book Jeff covers the themes: Jailhouse Rock - see how God is our immovable foundation. Peter - How to fail successfully, looking at snapshots of Peter’s life and words. Proverbs - wise words for a wild world - ancient wisdom that is bang up-to date will help equip us. Joseph – daydream believer - watch God redeem one particularly messy story by His grace. Close Encounters - look afresh at the wonderful Jesus through unplanned moments. He Never Said … take a closer look at some sayings that sound sensible but often aren’t.
This entertaining and challenging new book from Jeff Lucas takes a light-hearted look at the Christian life. Be prepared to be thoroughly challenged, provoked and nudged, both subtly and directly, in this humorous collection of stories and anecdotes. Jeff takes you on a memorable journey through life's ups and downs, pointing out lessons that need to be learned on the way.
It’s what you’d want if you were attending an important event: a front row seat. That way you’d be guaranteed a great view, and up close and personal look at the performance. No wonder the best seats are sold at a massive premium. Jesus made the decision to allow his three closest friends, Peter, James and John, access to a number of episodes that nobody else - the rest of the disciples included - enjoyed. These were not VIP passes. It isn’t that Jesus considered the three to be more important or significant than the others, but there were strategic reasons for their inclusion. Over the next couple of months, we’ll take a seat alongside them, and see what we can glean from the unique vantage point they enjoyed. As they watched a young girl being raised from the dead, were stunned on the Mount of Transfiguration, and then fought sleep in Garden of Gethsemane, we’ll ask: how did these episodes shape their faith, and prepare them for the joy and pains that they would face as they moved toward apostolic responsibility? And what can we learn from their journey?
In Jesus’ day, a meal was loaded with significance. In these brief but powerful daily devotions, you’ll get to eavesdrop on those meals, and as you do, you’ll be reminded that you are invited to dine with Christ today. No fewer than ten meals are recorded in Luke’s gospel alone, and it’s been said that in Luke, Jesus is either going to a meal, sitting at a meal, or coming from a meal. No wonder that when Jesus’ critics proclaimed, “The Son of Man came eating and drinking,” it was meant as a slur on His character. So why did Jesus do it? Because those meals mattered. Those kinds of events mattered then and they matter now, and there is much we can learn from Jesus and His table talk. Bible Daily notes are written by Jeff Lucas to help you apply the lessons of God’s Word daily. Each day and with each devotion, Jeff uses his signature wit and wisdom to reveal insights and practical application you can use in your own life. Each Bible Daily devotion takes only a few minutes to read, but the lessons learned can last a lifetime.
If you have had your heart broken by a prodigal, you know the pain of being hurt or disappointed by a loved one ... and the utter despair of seeing them turn away from Christ and the cross. In Will Your Prodigal Come Home? author Jeff Lucas delivers a message that is both challenging and comforting as he outlines the chaotic situations and emotions that families of prodigals face.Lucas acknowledges that every prodigal is different. Some have defied God. Some are lured by drugs, alcohol, or crime. Others have drifted until the emotional and physical distance feels unbearable. Still others are in church pews, with hearts closed to Jesus. Clearly, there are no easy answers. But through understanding, insight into the emotions that form within families, and an acknowledgement of the power of prayer, this book outlines a solid approach to help guide your prodigal home and help you keep your own faith as you wait.
Who are the bad guys of Jesus’ time? The invading Roman army and the homegrown Pharisees. We all love to hate them, with their emphasis on rules and their seeming ignorance of God’s character and priorities. Certainly Jesus both criticized and challenged them, but is there more to them and Jesus’ relationships with them? Jeff Lucas believes there is. As he seeks to understand who the Pharisees were and what motivated them, so we learn about them—and about ourselves. What would a modern-day Pharisee look like? How can we make sure we don’t become one? Bible Daily notes are written by Jeff Lucas to help you apply the lessons of God’s Word daily. Each day and with each devotion, Jeff uses his signature wit and wisdom to reveal insights and practical application you can use in your own life. Each Bible devotion takes only a few minutes to read, but the lessons learned can last a lifetime.
Ever met someone who had all the answers? Even when you didn’t want to know what they were? The person who knew exactly what you should do in a situation you had been struggling with for weeks—even though he or she had been listening to you for only thirty seconds? Jesus could have been like that, but He wasn’t. Instead, He was often the one asking the questions—and treasuring the answers. Jesus’ questions tell us so much about Him, and us, and how we should relate to Him and emulate Him. So let’s pinpoint and delve into the questions Jesus posed during His ministry on earth. They could transform your life as they have transformed the lives of so many before you—and will continue to do so for countless more in the future. Bible Daily notes are written by Jeff Lucas to help you apply the lessons of God’s Word daily. Each day and with each devotion, Jeff uses his signature wit and wisdom to reveal insights and practical application you can use in your own life. Each Bible devotion takes only a few minutes to read, but the lessons learned can last a lifetime.
The church. The bride of Christ. The body of Christ on earth. A joy, delight, and a comfort to all Christians.And the source of some of our greatest hurt and struggle. We fight for the church, but we also fight inside the church, and the sight of a local congregation or denomination battling it out is one of the saddest and most shaming sights that we ever come across. So do we have the choice to opt out of the church altogether, to go it alone, just us and God? No, says Jeff Lucas. Whatever the problems, we have to learn to work together. With his usual humor and understanding, Jeff takes us through some of the key issues facing Christians in the twenty-first-century church—bullying leaders, grumbling, gossiping, spiritual dementia, and finally the overwhelming need for love. Whether it is asking for our daily bread, forgiving and seeking forgiveness, or exploring what it means for God’s will to be done, these Bible Daily notes are food for the brain and sustenance for the spirit. Bible Daily notes are written by Jeff Lucas to help you apply the lessons of God’s Word daily. Each day and with each devotion, Jeff uses his signature wit and wisdom to reveal insights and practical application you can use in your own life. Each Bible devotion takes only a few minutes to read, but the lessons learned can last a lifetime.
What are you passionate about? Football? Your family? Your job? Your car? Your hobby? And how does that passion show itself? What about your spirituality; are you passionate about your faith? What does that mean? What are the passion killers in your walk with God? In a thoughtful and measured set of notes, Jeff Lucas explores the topic of spiritual passion. He shows how it does not necessarily have anything to do with emotion but everything to do with commitment, reliability, and obedience. Along the way, he describes what passion meant to Jesus and to Paul, and how that might affect what it means to us today. He shares the upsides and the downsides, the joys and the dangers, and how passion can transform us.
In everyday conversation, most of what we say is casual, not thought through, and can even come out completely wrong. But on occasion, we take the time to put together our words carefully and deliberately. At times of parting, maybe for a significant period of time or even forever, we want to make the most of those last words. And Jesus was no different. In this series of Bible Daily notes, Jeff Lucas explores the seven last sayings of Jesus before His death. What was on His heart in those final, pain-filled moments? What really mattered to Him at the end?
What has God promised us freely in His Word? And what promises does it contain that are specific to their time and place, and cannot be taken out of context and scattered around like confetti? In this thoughtful and challenging introduction to the promises of God, Jeff Lucas looks at what Scripture does say, what it does not say, and what we need to do about it. The “promise boxes” of old seemed close to trying to do magic—but that shouldn’t put us off realizing the wealth of principles in God’s Word that applies to our lives, here and now. So read and be encouraged. Bible Daily notes are written by Jeff Lucas to help you apply the lessons of God’s Word daily. Each day and with each devotion, Jeff uses his signature wit and wisdom to reveal insights and practical application you can use in your own life. Each Bible devotion takes only a few minutes to read, but the lessons learned can last a lifetime.
How good are your people skills? Can you say the right thing at the right time? Do you know when to offer a helping hand or listening ear, and when to leave people in peace? And what about the more difficult situations in life when you need to challenge or rebuke—or bite your tongue, even though you are aching to speak out? Sometimes we can think that people skills are just for the résumé or the office, not for everyday life. But as Jeff Lucas reminds us, we need them every day, and the example of Jesus can show us how to improve them. Jesus was a people magnet, and yet He was not afraid to challenge and confront, as well as comfort. So what can He teach us about living and relating well with other people? What do we need to do, or not do, in order to genuinely care for others, and to reflect the care of the One who made us? In his own inimitable style, Jeff Lucas takes us to Jesus’ Masterclass in People Skills Level 1. Work hard, and it will benefit you and those around you—both now and in the future. Bible Daily notes are written by Jeff Lucas to help you apply the lessons of God’s Word daily. Each day and with each devotion, Jeff uses his signature wit and wisdom to reveal insights and practical application you can use in your own life. Each Bible devotion takes only a few minutes to read, but the lessons learned can last a lifetime.
In England, be it soccer at Wembley, tennis at Wimbledon, racing at Ascot or rugby at Murrayfield, the British are a nation of sports lovers. And it is not just the British – worldwide, cricket and football are followed by millions of people, as an interest, a hobby, an escape or a career. Can we learn anything from their world? Yes, according to Jeff Lucas – and he has St Paul on his side. Drawing on the Bible’s rich store of sporting metaphors and similes, Jeff reveals their lessons for life and faith. From keeping going when we want to give up, to dealing with failure – and even success – there is plenty here to help you on your race to the finish.
Keeping your faith burning bright when all you want to do is burn out In Faith in the Fog, bestselling author Jeff Lucas explores the pain and fear that many Christians feel when walking through a spiritual fog, when doubts about faith undermine the joy of belief. After the Resurrection—when the disciples found themselves on the fog bank of unresolved shame, failure, and confusion—what Jesus did to help them and what he didn’t do is both enlightening and inspirational. Here, you will focus on the person of Jesus and the way he approaches those who are worn out when life is tough. Who Jesus really is—rather than the way we instinctively perceive him emotionally and theologically—is what will make the difference and help clear the fog. Through a broad approach, Faith in the Fog tackles the feelings of failure, uselessness, and shame, which are often the underlying causes of depression and burnout among Christians.
Many Christians find themselves unable to escape from past sins. They have repented of them, they have handed them over to God. But they can't forget them. Instead they relive their past over and over and, in the process, become increasingly burdened by a sense of failure. Carrying this false guilt around can be like walking backwards - exhausting, awkward and confusing. Jeff Lucas reminds us that it is God's will that we leave our past failures behind us. When we confess our sins, God's forgiveness is total! Only when we fully understand this will we be able to turn round and face the future, and be free to enjoy the life and hope he has to offer.
If you've ever been tempted to think that following God guarantees an easy life, King David’s story will set you straight. King David is the only person described in the Bible as being “a man after God’s own hear”—yet he was an adulterer and a murderer, among other things. His family fell apart toward the end of his life, and he made some terrible decisions along the way. But through it all, he was always ready, if not immediately, to admit he was wrong and to turn to God and ask for forgiveness. David poured out his heart to God in a whole series of poems and songs that make up most of the book of Psalms. In these Bible Daily notes, Jeff Lucas connects the Psalms with the occasions on which David may have written them, to shows us David, in all his goodness and all his sin. And in so doing, we—who are an equal mix of good and bad—find hope and reasons to thank God. Bible Daily notes are written by Jeff Lucas to help you apply the lessons of God’s Word daily. Each day and with each devotion, Jeff uses his signature wit and wisdom to reveal insights and practical application you can use in your own life. Each Bible devotion takes only a few minutes to read, but the lessons learned can last a lifetime.
Ask any Christian to name their favorite books in the Bible and you’re unlikely to find the book of Jeremiah at the top of any list—or even on any list. Frankly, most of us tend to ignore this deeply sad book completely. Beginning as a young man, Jeremiah prophesied under five kings, and his prophecies were never listened to—or at least not obeyed. Yet Jeremiah has a lot to say to us today. As he tearfully tells us about what life without God looks like, his message of conviction, repentance, and faith has startling relevance to our modern world. Our Bible notes on Jeremiah focus not on the history but on the message the prophet brought to a nation that was light-years away from God and about to experience judgment. Thank you for going on this journey, as we consider the call and message of this young twentysomething who lived over twenty-six hundred years ago but who definitely has some important things to say to us. Bible Daily notes are written by Jeff Lucas to help you apply the lessons of God’s Word daily. Each day and with each devotion, Jeff uses his signature wit and wisdom to reveal insights and practical application you can use in your own life. Each Bible devotion takes only a few minutes to read, but the lessons learned can last a lifetime.
Christmas is rushing toward us, and you may already be looking forward to presents, food, and time with family and friends. But for some, Christmas brings mixed emotions. Memories of happier days mean aching hearts, missing loved ones who are no longer with us. And while we’re thrilled to celebrate the birth of our Savior, oftentimes in all the rush, festivities, and emotions, Christ is ignored or given only token recognition. In Advent: Another Look, we’ll take a careful journey to look at the incarnation of Christ. We will see who was there, what the prophets of old had to say, and what the incarnation means. And maybe we will then be able, once again, to stand amazed at the wonder of God’s most incredible gift of His Son, and to experience our hearts warmed afresh during this chilly season. Bible Daily notes are written by Jeff Lucas to help you apply the lessons of God’s Word daily. Each day and with each devotion, Jeff uses his signature wit and wisdom to reveal insights and practical application you can use in your own life. Each Bible devotion takes only a few minutes to read, but the lessons learned can last a lifetime.
Barnabas had a very distinctive feature—he was a great encourager, and so was dubbed “Son of Encouragement.” In this book, we will look at this warm, wonderful man and consider, not only the power of encouragement, but also how this virtue is rooted in the character of God, which might come as a surprise to some. Wherever he went, and whoever he talked to, Barnabas left people feeling better as a result. How many of us can say the same about ourselves? In these studies on the life of Barnabas, you will find examples to follow, lessons to learn, and an approach to life that all of us would do well to adopt. Bible Daily notes are written by Jeff Lucas to help you apply the lessons of God’s Word daily. Each day and with each devotion, Jeff uses his signature wit and wisdom to reveal insights and practical application you can use in your own life. Each Bible devotion takes only a few minutes to read, but the lessons learned can last a lifetime.
Why do Christians find praying so hard? Because of what they believe about it, according to Jeff Lucas. Labelling our misconceptions as 'myths', Jeff Lucas sets out, in his own inimitable style, to debunk those myths that turn prayer into purgatory and stop us from enjoying the relationship with God that we should enjoy. The myths include: - believing that prayer is only about us - believing that prayer is never about us - that the only good prayers are long prayers - that we can't pray anyway - that God is both far off and reluctant to hear us. Written with humour and passion, this is an immensely readable and helpful book that will delight those who have discovered the joys of Jeff Lucas' writings before, as well as those who come to it fresh.
The apostle Paul spent much of his time traveling from city to city, church to church, encouraging, teaching, and occasionally rebuking the Christian communities he found. But as he could not be everywhere at once, he also wrote—and so the wisdom and loving insights that were appreciated then can still be appreciated now. In this study of the letter to the Ephesians, Jeff Lucas draws out the principal teachings that were so vital to St. Paul—and which are so vital for us. The most important teaching here is that of salvation and the work of Christ on the cross. Everything else flows from that. It is a message we cannot hear too often or study too much. Paul preached these truths in a culture very like that which we find now in the Western world—one where all truths are seen as relative. How did he do it? Bible Daily notes are written by Jeff Lucas to help you apply the lessons of God’s Word daily. Each day and with each devotion, Jeff uses his signature wit and wisdom to reveal insights and practical application you can use in your own life. Each Bible devotion takes only a few minutes to read, but the lessons learned can last a lifetime.
Are things really getting worse, or has it always been this way? Difficult times are certainly not new. History is riddled with accounts of trouble, war, fear, economic uncertainty, and so on. The prophet Samuel was called by God for just such a time. What can we learn from his example? Can we clearly perceive what is going on and yet trust that God holds the whole world in His hands? Everyday life brings challenges. As these Bible Daily notes trace the footsteps of Samuel, may your heart be strengthened. May we be encouraged to stand in Christ, stand out for Christ, and where needed, stand up for Christ, in our day and generation. Bible Daily notes are written by Jeff Lucas to help you apply the lessons of God’s Word daily. Each day and with each devotion, Jeff uses his signature wit and wisdom to reveal insights and practical application you can use in your own life. Each Bible devotion takes only a few minutes to read, but the lessons learned can last a lifetime.
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