Jesus condemns hypocrisy. One of the most scathing condemnations is this one.

Luke 11:52
"Woe to you experts in the law, because you have taken away the key to knowledge. You yourselves have not entered, and you have hindered those who were entering."

Those experts were not teaching the truth and were quenching the spirit of those who were seeking the truth. Not much has changed today.  So many "man-made traditions" have superseded the God-made truth. 

For those of you out there who are “worry warts”…this verse is for you!

Matthew 6:27
Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

Jesus said to seek first His kingdom. What does it mean to seek His kingdom?

Jesus also said to be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him. What does it mean to be ready?  We are not guaranteed our next heartbeat. 

To repeat a previous blog entry, Jesus made it very clear in this verse that baptism has nothing to do with water. It has everything to do with spiritual matters.

Luke 12:50
But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is completed!

Luke 3:16
John answered them all, "I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

So often especially during the Christmas season we hear the words, “Peace on earth.” Did Jesus come to bring peace on earth?

Luke 12:51
Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division.

This verse should bring us comfort as believers in Jesus Christ. If we are His followers and doing His will, there will be division, not only in the world, but in our churches and even within our families. We must stand firm with the Monument of Truth (God's Word) no matter what happens around us.