March 11th, 2025
Tuesday, March 11th
Gathering or Scattering?
Pastor Chrissy Cooney
“Whoever isn’t with me is against me. Whoever doesn’t gather with me scatters.” Luke 11:23
We have a big basket of dog toys in my living room. From stuffies to bones to squeaky toys, the basket holds a plethora of doggy entertainment. When we’re straightening up the house, a common chore is gathering all the toys up and placing them in the basket. (Much to my dismay, I haven’t yet been able to teach the dogs to accomplish this chore on command). Often, as the person cleaning up is placing toys in the basket, one of the dogs comes right behind them, taking their favorite toy back out of the basket, and scattering other toys in the process. While this can be kind of comical to witness, it hinders the process of getting the house straightened.
In Luke 11:23, there is nothing comical about Jesus’ statement. The people have just accused Jesus of casting out evil by the power of evil and He tells them that a house divided against itself can not stand. Either we’re with him or we’re against him – there is no neutral ground.
We can apply this to daily life – in every conversation, every meeting, every action, habit, and behavior – are we building the kingdom of God, or are we pulling it apart? Are we pointing people toward Jesus or distracting them from Him? It’s easy to think, “Yes, of course, I’m for Jesus – I’m with Him!” but actions speak louder than words and, in every action, we are either scattering or gathering.
Lord, help me be aware of my actions today. Help me to be a kingdom builder – a gatherer - and point people toward you in everything that I think, say, and do.
Luke 11:14-36
GOD’S WORD Translation
Jesus Is Accused of Working with Beelzebul
14 Jesus was forcing a demon out of a man. The demon had made the man unable to talk. When the demon had gone out, the man began to talk.
The people were amazed. 15 But some of them said, “He can force demons out of people only with the help of Beelzebul, the ruler of demons.” 16 Others wanted to test Jesus and demanded that he show them some miraculous sign from heaven.
17 Since Jesus knew what they were thinking, he said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is ruined. A house divided against itself falls. 18 Now, if Satan is divided against himself, how can his kingdom last? I say this because you say Beelzebul helps me force demons out of people. 19 If I force demons out with the help of Beelzebul, who helps your followers force them out? That’s why they will be your judges. 20 But if I force out demons with the help of God’s power, then God’s kingdom has come to you.
21 “When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own mansion, his property is safe. 22 But a stronger man than he may attack him and defeat him. Then the stronger man will take away all the weapons in which the strong man trusted and will divide the loot.
23 “Whoever isn’t with me is against me. Whoever doesn’t gather with me scatters.
24 “When an evil spirit comes out of a person, it goes through dry places looking for a place to rest. But it doesn’t find any. Then it says, ‘I’ll go back to the home I left.’ 25 When it comes, it finds the house swept clean and in order. 26 Then the spirit goes and brings along seven other spirits more evil than itself. They enter and take up permanent residence there. In the end the condition of that person is worse than it was before.”
The Sign of Jonah
27 While Jesus was speaking, a woman in the crowd shouted, “How blessed is the mother who gave birth to you and the breasts that nursed you.”
28 Jesus replied, “Rather, how blessed are those who hear and obey God’s word.”
29 As the people were gathering around him, Jesus said, “The people living today are evil. They look for a miraculous sign. But the only sign they will get is the sign of Jonah. 30 Just as Jonah became a miraculous sign to the people of Nineveh, so the Son of Man will be a miraculous sign to the people living today. 31 The queen from the south will stand up at the time of judgment with the men who live today. She will condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear Solomon’s wisdom. But look, someone greater than Solomon is here! 32 The men of Nineveh will stand up at the time of judgment with the people living today. Since the men of Nineveh turned to God and changed the way they thought and acted when Jonah spoke his message, they will condemn the people living today. But look, someone greater than Jonah is here!
Jesus Talks about Light
33 “No one lights a lamp and hides it or puts it under a basket. Instead, everyone who lights a lamp puts it on a lamp stand so that those who come in will see its light.
34 “Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eye is unclouded, your whole body is full of light. But when your eye is evil, your body is full of darkness. 35 So be careful that the light in you isn’t darkness. 36 If your whole body is full of light and not darkness, it will be as bright as a lamp shining on you.”
Gathering or Scattering?
Pastor Chrissy Cooney
“Whoever isn’t with me is against me. Whoever doesn’t gather with me scatters.” Luke 11:23
We have a big basket of dog toys in my living room. From stuffies to bones to squeaky toys, the basket holds a plethora of doggy entertainment. When we’re straightening up the house, a common chore is gathering all the toys up and placing them in the basket. (Much to my dismay, I haven’t yet been able to teach the dogs to accomplish this chore on command). Often, as the person cleaning up is placing toys in the basket, one of the dogs comes right behind them, taking their favorite toy back out of the basket, and scattering other toys in the process. While this can be kind of comical to witness, it hinders the process of getting the house straightened.
In Luke 11:23, there is nothing comical about Jesus’ statement. The people have just accused Jesus of casting out evil by the power of evil and He tells them that a house divided against itself can not stand. Either we’re with him or we’re against him – there is no neutral ground.
We can apply this to daily life – in every conversation, every meeting, every action, habit, and behavior – are we building the kingdom of God, or are we pulling it apart? Are we pointing people toward Jesus or distracting them from Him? It’s easy to think, “Yes, of course, I’m for Jesus – I’m with Him!” but actions speak louder than words and, in every action, we are either scattering or gathering.
Lord, help me be aware of my actions today. Help me to be a kingdom builder – a gatherer - and point people toward you in everything that I think, say, and do.
Luke 11:14-36
GOD’S WORD Translation
Jesus Is Accused of Working with Beelzebul
14 Jesus was forcing a demon out of a man. The demon had made the man unable to talk. When the demon had gone out, the man began to talk.
The people were amazed. 15 But some of them said, “He can force demons out of people only with the help of Beelzebul, the ruler of demons.” 16 Others wanted to test Jesus and demanded that he show them some miraculous sign from heaven.
17 Since Jesus knew what they were thinking, he said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is ruined. A house divided against itself falls. 18 Now, if Satan is divided against himself, how can his kingdom last? I say this because you say Beelzebul helps me force demons out of people. 19 If I force demons out with the help of Beelzebul, who helps your followers force them out? That’s why they will be your judges. 20 But if I force out demons with the help of God’s power, then God’s kingdom has come to you.
21 “When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own mansion, his property is safe. 22 But a stronger man than he may attack him and defeat him. Then the stronger man will take away all the weapons in which the strong man trusted and will divide the loot.
23 “Whoever isn’t with me is against me. Whoever doesn’t gather with me scatters.
24 “When an evil spirit comes out of a person, it goes through dry places looking for a place to rest. But it doesn’t find any. Then it says, ‘I’ll go back to the home I left.’ 25 When it comes, it finds the house swept clean and in order. 26 Then the spirit goes and brings along seven other spirits more evil than itself. They enter and take up permanent residence there. In the end the condition of that person is worse than it was before.”
The Sign of Jonah
27 While Jesus was speaking, a woman in the crowd shouted, “How blessed is the mother who gave birth to you and the breasts that nursed you.”
28 Jesus replied, “Rather, how blessed are those who hear and obey God’s word.”
29 As the people were gathering around him, Jesus said, “The people living today are evil. They look for a miraculous sign. But the only sign they will get is the sign of Jonah. 30 Just as Jonah became a miraculous sign to the people of Nineveh, so the Son of Man will be a miraculous sign to the people living today. 31 The queen from the south will stand up at the time of judgment with the men who live today. She will condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear Solomon’s wisdom. But look, someone greater than Solomon is here! 32 The men of Nineveh will stand up at the time of judgment with the people living today. Since the men of Nineveh turned to God and changed the way they thought and acted when Jonah spoke his message, they will condemn the people living today. But look, someone greater than Jonah is here!
Jesus Talks about Light
33 “No one lights a lamp and hides it or puts it under a basket. Instead, everyone who lights a lamp puts it on a lamp stand so that those who come in will see its light.
34 “Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eye is unclouded, your whole body is full of light. But when your eye is evil, your body is full of darkness. 35 So be careful that the light in you isn’t darkness. 36 If your whole body is full of light and not darkness, it will be as bright as a lamp shining on you.”
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