The Living Word: A Daily Devotional with Jeff & Dale from The Jenkins Institute
The Living Word is a daily devotional featuring Scripture and encouragement from Jeff and Dale of The Jenkins Institute. Each episode offers a thoughtful reading to coincide with the daily devotional guides from our annual devotional books. They are designed to help listeners begin or end their day grounded in God’s Word.
The Living Word: A Daily Devotional with Jeff & Dale from The Jenkins Institute
Week 30: Thursday, If We Only Knew
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When was the last time you, having a specific experience, said, “If I
had only known that is how it would have turned out, I would have
done it differently.”? A while ago, I began working on a small
construction project, confident I would be able to complete it.
When it became obvious to me that I was in over my head, I
recruited the help of someone with experience to finish the job.
The work I had done actually made his work more difficult. When I
promised that I would never do that to him again, with a smile, he
said, “If you do, next time call me before you start.” We both
chuckled because it was funny, but we both knew he meant it.
Welcome to Hearing God's Stories, a daily devotional on the parables presented by the Jenkins Institute.
SPEAKER_01Week thirty, Thursday. The Parable of the Watchful Servants, Luke chapter twelve, verses thirty five through forty, Steve Baggett, I'm Doyle Ferris. If we only knew Today Scripture, Luke twelve, verse thirty nine. When was the last time you, having a specific experience, said If I had only known that is how it would have turned out, I would have done it differently. A while ago I began working on a small construction project, confident I would be able to complete it. When it became obvious to me that I was in over my head, I recruited the help of someone with experience to finish the job. The work I had done actually made his work more difficult. When I promised that I would never do that to him again, with a smile, he said, If you do, next time call me before you start. We both chuckled because it was funny, but we both knew he meant it. In Luke chapter twelve and verse thirty nine, Jesus said, But know this, that if the master of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have left his house to be broken into. Makes sense, doesn't it? A thief doesn't announce when he is going to break into your house. In fact, he plans intently so he can get to your house at a time when you're not at home. So when so what was the point Jesus was making in this verse? He wasn't actually talking about houses and thieves. He was talking about being prepared for his return in judgment and the need to always be ready for that day. When Jesus returns, it will do no good to say, If I had known when you were going to come, I would have been ready. I just didn't know. Jesus plainly taught throughout this parable that we should always be ready. In the hymn There's a Great Day Coming, which is often sung during the invitation, Will L. Thompson asks the question repeatedly. Are you ready? Are you ready? Are you ready for the judgment day? Today, I will repent of the sinful choices I have made in my life and make whatever changes necessary to be ready when the Lord returns.
SPEAKER_00Thank you for joining us for the Living Word. For more encouragement and ministry resources, visit the Genius Institute.com and may God's richest blessings be yours, is our prayer for you.