February 24th, 2025
Monday, February 24th
Lighthouse
Pastor Chris Wood
When Meredith and I meet new people, a common conversation starter is asking each other where did you grow up? Meredith will usually briefly mention that she grew up in Novia Scotia, which will spark many secondary questions.
” You're from Canada, “A”? Yes.
“Is Canadian bacon good?” Yes.
“Have you been to Tim Hortons?” The Capital of Canada is Tim Hortons
Another question that might come up is, “What was your favorite part of growing up in Nova Scotia? “Meredith will begin to mention she loved going to the beach and having bonfires; it was a time of simplicity and beauty. Meredith has many fond memories of being with her family on the beach in Nova Scotia.
Several years ago, I had the opportunity to go with Meredith and her family to Nova Scotia and see the beautiful beaches. My favorite part was seeing the lighthouse and realizing it was a beacon on foggy nights. I am reminded in Luke that we are called to be like lighthouses.
16 “No one lights a lamp and hides it in a clay jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, they put it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light. 17 For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open. 18 Therefore, consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they think they have will be taken from them.”
Lighthouses not only offer light, but they offer stability and consistency, and they allow people who are lost to find their way home. Be encouraged in a world that often can be confusing and difficult to navigate; be a lighthouse, point true north. Bring stability and point people back to Jesus.
Luke 8:1-18
GOD’S WORD Translation
Women Who Supported Jesus
8 After this, Jesus traveled from one city and village to another. He spread the Good News about God’s kingdom. The twelve apostles were with him. 2 Also, some women were with him. They had been cured from evil spirits and various illnesses. These women were Mary, also called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out; 3 Joanna, whose husband Chusa was Herod’s administrator; Susanna; and many other women. They provided financial support for Jesus and his disciples.
A Story about a Farmer
4 When a large crowd had gathered and people had come to Jesus from every city, he used this story as an illustration: 5 “A farmer went to plant his seeds. Some seeds were planted along the road, were trampled, and were devoured by birds. 6 Others were planted on rocky soil. When the plants came up, they withered because they had no moisture. 7 Others were planted among thornbushes. The thornbushes grew up with them and choked them. 8 Others were planted on good ground. When they came up, they produced a hundred times as much as was planted.”
After he had said this, he called out, “Let the person who has ears listen!”
9 His disciples asked him what this story meant. 10 Jesus answered, “Knowledge about the mysteries of God’s kingdom has been given ⌞directly⌟ to you. But it is given to others in stories. When they look, they don’t see, and when they hear, they don’t understand.
11 “This is what the story illustrates: The seed is God’s word. 12 Some people are like seeds that were planted along the road. They hear the word, but then the devil comes. He takes the word away from them so that they don’t believe and become saved. 13 Some people are like seeds on rocky soil. They welcome the word with joy whenever they hear it, but they don’t develop any roots. They believe for a while, but when their faith is tested, they abandon it. 14 The seeds that were planted among thornbushes are people who hear the word, but as life goes on the worries, riches, and pleasures of life choke them. So they don’t produce anything good. 15 The seeds that were planted on good ground are people who also hear the word. But they keep it in their good and honest hearts and produce what is good despite what life may bring.
16 “No one lights a lamp and hides it under a bowl or puts it under a bed. Instead, everyone who lights a lamp puts it on a lamp stand so that those who come in will see the light. 17 There is nothing hidden that will not be revealed. There is nothing kept secret that will not come to light.
18 “So pay attention to how you listen! Those who understand ⌞these mysteries⌟ will be given ⌞more knowledge⌟. However, some people don’t understand ⌞these mysteries⌟. Even what they think they understand will be taken away from them.”
Lighthouse
Pastor Chris Wood
When Meredith and I meet new people, a common conversation starter is asking each other where did you grow up? Meredith will usually briefly mention that she grew up in Novia Scotia, which will spark many secondary questions.
” You're from Canada, “A”? Yes.
“Is Canadian bacon good?” Yes.
“Have you been to Tim Hortons?” The Capital of Canada is Tim Hortons
Another question that might come up is, “What was your favorite part of growing up in Nova Scotia? “Meredith will begin to mention she loved going to the beach and having bonfires; it was a time of simplicity and beauty. Meredith has many fond memories of being with her family on the beach in Nova Scotia.
Several years ago, I had the opportunity to go with Meredith and her family to Nova Scotia and see the beautiful beaches. My favorite part was seeing the lighthouse and realizing it was a beacon on foggy nights. I am reminded in Luke that we are called to be like lighthouses.
16 “No one lights a lamp and hides it in a clay jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, they put it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light. 17 For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open. 18 Therefore, consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they think they have will be taken from them.”
Lighthouses not only offer light, but they offer stability and consistency, and they allow people who are lost to find their way home. Be encouraged in a world that often can be confusing and difficult to navigate; be a lighthouse, point true north. Bring stability and point people back to Jesus.
Luke 8:1-18
GOD’S WORD Translation
Women Who Supported Jesus
8 After this, Jesus traveled from one city and village to another. He spread the Good News about God’s kingdom. The twelve apostles were with him. 2 Also, some women were with him. They had been cured from evil spirits and various illnesses. These women were Mary, also called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out; 3 Joanna, whose husband Chusa was Herod’s administrator; Susanna; and many other women. They provided financial support for Jesus and his disciples.
A Story about a Farmer
4 When a large crowd had gathered and people had come to Jesus from every city, he used this story as an illustration: 5 “A farmer went to plant his seeds. Some seeds were planted along the road, were trampled, and were devoured by birds. 6 Others were planted on rocky soil. When the plants came up, they withered because they had no moisture. 7 Others were planted among thornbushes. The thornbushes grew up with them and choked them. 8 Others were planted on good ground. When they came up, they produced a hundred times as much as was planted.”
After he had said this, he called out, “Let the person who has ears listen!”
9 His disciples asked him what this story meant. 10 Jesus answered, “Knowledge about the mysteries of God’s kingdom has been given ⌞directly⌟ to you. But it is given to others in stories. When they look, they don’t see, and when they hear, they don’t understand.
11 “This is what the story illustrates: The seed is God’s word. 12 Some people are like seeds that were planted along the road. They hear the word, but then the devil comes. He takes the word away from them so that they don’t believe and become saved. 13 Some people are like seeds on rocky soil. They welcome the word with joy whenever they hear it, but they don’t develop any roots. They believe for a while, but when their faith is tested, they abandon it. 14 The seeds that were planted among thornbushes are people who hear the word, but as life goes on the worries, riches, and pleasures of life choke them. So they don’t produce anything good. 15 The seeds that were planted on good ground are people who also hear the word. But they keep it in their good and honest hearts and produce what is good despite what life may bring.
16 “No one lights a lamp and hides it under a bowl or puts it under a bed. Instead, everyone who lights a lamp puts it on a lamp stand so that those who come in will see the light. 17 There is nothing hidden that will not be revealed. There is nothing kept secret that will not come to light.
18 “So pay attention to how you listen! Those who understand ⌞these mysteries⌟ will be given ⌞more knowledge⌟. However, some people don’t understand ⌞these mysteries⌟. Even what they think they understand will be taken away from them.”
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