Daily Devotional Luke 20:45-47 – How to leave a bad habit or trait at the cross, step 10 – Surround yourself with loving people – Online Bible study – Commentary in easy English – Day 368

While all the people were listening, Jesus said to his disciples, “Beware of the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely.” (Luke 20:45-47)

Jesus warns us in our journey to the cross to stay away from those who tell us what to do and befriend those who love us. He also warns us to see through those with a perfect appearance with friends in high places who speak and schmooze well. They might have an agenda other than love. Look at their hearts.

Religious leaders and priests in Jesus’ time weren’t paid well. Apostle Paul accepted hospitality but usually not money as he worked to support himself. Teachers of the law wore beautiful robes with long tassels to remind them to pray. They also had boxes of Scripture (phylacteries) attached to their foreheads and wrists (See Matthew 23:5). Even though they were expected to earn a living, they didn’t dress to labor. Therefore, they visited wealthy widows and prayed extensively for them. If the widows paid them, they returned. As we’ve read Pharisees, Sadducees, elders, and teachers of the law killed prophets and kept people from Jesus when He commanded us to “Go and make disciples of all nations.” Those who keep people from Jesus will be punished most severely.

Our ability to leave a bad habit or trait at the cross depends on relationships. Our relationship with God must be strong through prayer and Bible study. We need to have friends and family support us to make us accountable. The tenth step to leaving a bad habit or trait at the cross is to surround yourself with people who love you. It’s good to have a prayer partner. I am available for any of my readers who needs one. My email is jody.armstrong@cox.net. My Facebook was hacked, so I can’t be reached through social media.

Dearest Heavenly Father, I praise you because You are love. Whoever lives in love lives in You, and You in them. Give me friends who love You and will support me in my efforts to become more like Jesus as I prepare to leave _____________ at the cross. In Jesus’ precious and holy name I pray. Amen.

Daily Devotional Luke 20:45-47 – How to leave a bad habit or trait at the cross, step 10 – Surround yourself with loving people – Online Bible study – Commentary in easy English – Day 368

59 thoughts on “Daily Devotional Luke 20:45-47 – How to leave a bad habit or trait at the cross, step 10 – Surround yourself with loving people – Online Bible study – Commentary in easy English – Day 368

  1. Things haven’t changed a lot since Jesus walked the Earth. There were people that couldn’t be trusted then and that is still the case now. What you have been going through because you were hacked is because there is always someone out there, that wants what doesn’t belong to them. It was true in Jesus’ day and it is true now. We just have to be careful all the time and surround ourselves with good people. It makes it hard to trust at times. This is the time of the year that we should be thankful for all that we have and the people who love us. Happy Thanksgiving!

  2. You ‘re so modern! I don’t think I’ve read anything like this before. So effective to find somebody with some original thoughts on this subject. I enjoy reading a post that will make people think. Also, thanks for permiting me to comment!. If you have a opportunity check out my web site. It’s a work in progress, but I expect that someday it will have nearly as good of subject matter as yours.

    1. Dear Pat, thank you for the encouragement. I checked out your website and it looks like you and the Kosky’s are doing wonderful work in South Africa. I am praying for you and the Kosky’s. I hope you return to my website. Blessings, Jody

    1. Naha, thanks for your encouragement. I know not all Christians agree with what I have to say, but I’m glad you do on this particular subject. I just want everyone to know how much God loves them. I prayed for you. I hope you come back soon. Blessings, Jody

  3. I have read a few of the articles on your website now, and I really like your style of blogging. I added it to my favorites blog site list and will be checking back soon. Please check out my site as well and let me know what you think.

    1. Socjologia, I would love to check out your website. Please give me the address, and I will. I prayed for your family and you. I hope you return. Blessings, Jody

  4. This really is such a wonderful resource that youre offering and you give it away for free. I take pleasure in seeing sites that realize the worth of delivering a prime resource for no cost. I really loved reading your post. Thanks!

    1. Japan, thank you so much for your encouragement. I prayed for you and your family and hope you will return to my website. Blessings, Jody

    1. Thank you for the Leo Tolstoy comment. According to Wikipedia, “Tolstoy believed that a true Christian could find lasting happiness by striving for inner perfection through following the Great Commandment of loving one’s neighbor and God, rather than guidance from the Church or state. I believe that, too. I would rewrite Tolstoy’s comment to say, “An excellent life is shared by those who love and strive to please God.” I prayed for you and your family, and I hope you return to my website. Blessings, Jody
      Polish translation: Dziękuję za komentarz Lwa Tołstoja. Według Wikipedii „Tołstoj wierzył, że prawdziwy chrześcijanin może znaleźć trwałe szczęście, dążąc do wewnętrznej doskonałości, postępując zgodnie z Wielkim Przykazaniem kochania bliźniego i Boga, zamiast kierować się wskazówkami Kościoła lub państwa.Ja też w to wierzę. Przepisałbym komentarz Tołstoja, by powiedzieć: „Wspaniałe życie dzielą ci, którzy kochają i starają się podobać Bogu”. Modliłem się za Ciebie i Twoją rodzinę i mam nadzieję, że wrócisz na moją stronę internetową. Błogosławieństwa, Jody

    1. Filozofia, thanks for your encouragement. I’m glad you enjoyed my post. I prayed for you this morning and hope you will return to my website. Blessings, Jody

    1. Handel, thank you so much for your encouragement. I am so happy to have you on my website. I prayed for you and your family. Blessings, Jody

  5. Please inform me it labored proper? I dont wish to sumit it again if i would not have to! Either the blog glitced out or im an idiot, the second option doesnt shock me lol. thanks for an ideal blog! Anyway, in my language, there are not much good source like this.

    1. Handel, thank you so much for your encouragement. I’m not sure what you mean by the blog glitched out. I got your comment and replied to it the first time and now. I am glad you enjoy the blog and hope you keep commenting. I prayed for you and your family again this morning, and I appreciate you coming to my site. Blessings, Jody
      Translation to Polish: Handel, bardzo dziękuję za zachętę. Nie jestem pewien, co masz na myśli mówiąc, że blog się zepsuł. Otrzymałem twój komentarz i odpowiedziałem na niego za pierwszym razem i teraz. Cieszę się, że podobał Ci się blog i mam nadzieję, że będziesz dalej komentować. Modliłem się za Ciebie i Twoją rodzinę i doceniam, że przyszedłeś na moją stronę. Błogosławieństwa, Jody

  6. Jestes przyjacielem poniewaz jestes wezlem w swobodnej kwerendzie, ktory laczy, lecz nie zniewala i wicaz na ziemie powala. Sensei H. Oshiro. English translation: You are a friend because you are the node in the free query that connects, but does not enslave, and therefore brings you to the ground.

    1. Japonia, thank you for your comment. What you wrote in Polish does not translate well into English. It must be some kind of Polish saying. What I think you’re saying is that I believe God is love and doesn’t enslave us. He wants us to have peace. I am glad you came to my blog and hope you came back. I prayed for you and your family. Blessings, Jody
      Polish translation: Japonia, dziękuję za komentarz. To, co napisałeś po polsku, nie przekłada się dobrze na angielski. To musi być jakieś polskie powiedzenie. Myślę, że mówisz, że wierzę, że Bóg jest miłością i nie zniewala nas. Chce, żebyśmy mieli spokój. Cieszę się, że trafiłeś na mój blog i mam nadzieję, że wróciłeś. Modliłem się za Ciebie i Twoją rodzinę. Błogosławieństwa, Jody

  7. Zwierzeta sa z reguly moimi przyjacilomi, a ja nie zjadam swoich przyjaciol. G. Shaw & TM… 🙂 English translation: Animals are usually my friends, and I don’t eat my friends.

    1. Cukrzyca, thank you for coming to my website. I think you are using a saying that doesn’t translate well into English. I love animals, especially dogs, also. It is great to surround yourself with animals, but we also need people who understand our love for God that will help us with accountability. It is very hard to accomplish great things in life without the help of people. It is also very true that sometimes even our best friends let us down but animals don’t. I have prayed for you and your family this morning. Blessings, Jody

    1. Cukrzyca XMC, you’re welcome. Thanks for posting on my blog multiple times also and considering me your mate!. We are friends through God, and I hope we will become closer friends through my blog. I prayed for you and your family. Blessings, Jody

  8. Zycie jest tylko przechodnim plocieniem, Nedznym aktorem, ktory swa role Przez pare godzin wygrawszy na scenie W nicosc przepada – powiescia idioty, Glosna, wrzaskliwa, a nic nie znaczaca. – William Shakespeare
    English translation: Life is just a passing spit, a poor actor who has his role For a few hours, having staged on the stage Nothingness is lost – an idiot’s novel, loud, screaming, and meaningless.

    1. I do not agree with this quote you have attributed to William Shakespeare. Life is never meaningless when you praise God or help a family member or friend. If you don’t have loving people in your life, make new friends.

  9. I believe this is among the such a lot important information for me.
    And i am happy studying your article. However want to commentary on few basic issues, The website style is wonderful, the articles is truly nice : D.
    Just right process, cheers

    1. Elise, I’m glad you enjoyed the post. Please feel free to comment on the issues even if you don’t agree with me. I love to hear other points of view. I prayed for you and your family. Blessings, Jody

  10. Nie chce pod koniec zycia stwierdzic, ze przezylam tylko jego dlugosc. Chce przezyc tez pelna jego szerokosc. – Diane Ackerman
    English translation: I do not want to say at the end of my life that I have only lived its length. I also want to live its full width.

    1. I love the quote. Thanks for sharing. Thanks for coming to my website. I prayed for you and your family and hope you know how much God loves you. Blessings, Jody

    1. Thank you for your encouragement and for coming to my website. Isn’t it wonderful that Jesus warns us to look at the hearts of people in high places before we befriend them because they may have agendas other than love. I prayed for you today and hope you know how wide and long and high and deep God’s love is for you. Blessings, Jody

  11. If you are like a lot of people you can simply overlook this. The best thing you can do is become relevant with yourself and faithful with your own morals. This will lead to a sad and unfulfilling life.

    1. What you said was somewhat ambiguous. It is only when our spirits are united with God’s spirit in love that we can be fulfilled. I hope you know how much God loves you and how fulfilling and joyful a life spent with Him is. I am relevant with myself, and I try to align my morals with God’s although that isn’t always possible for a human. But how wonderful is God’s forgiveness! “For God has bound everyone over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all.” Romans 11:32.

    1. Thanks for your encouragement. Thanks for coming to my website. I prayed for the Holy Spirit to pray for you and your family and grant your needs in the name of Jesus and for you to grasp how wide and long and high and deep His love is for you. Blessings, Jody

  12. I am impressed, I must say. Very seldom do I encounter a blog thats both educational and entertaining, and let me tell you, you have hit the nail on the head. Your blog is outstanding; the issue is something that not many people are speaking intelligently about. Im really happy that I stumbled across this in my search for something relating to it.

    1. Thank you for your encouragement and for coming to my website. Isn’t it wonderful that Jesus warns us to look at the hearts of people in high places before we befriend them because they may have agendas other than love. I prayed for you today and hope you know how wide and long and high and deep God’s love is for you. Blessings, Jody

    1. I am sorry about your comments not showing up. I received a lot of comments all at once and have gotten behind answering. Thank you for your encouragement and for coming to my website. Isn’t it wonderful that Jesus warns us to look at the hearts of people in high places before we befriend them because they may have agendas other than love. I prayed for you today and hope you know how wide and long and high and deep God’s love is for you. Blessings, Jody

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    1. Thank you so much for your encouragement and coming to my website. I hope you will return so that we can become family! I prayed for you today and hope you know how wide and long and high and deep God’s love for you is. Blessings, Jody

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    1. I don’t know why you can’t subscribe. Thank you for your encouragement and for coming to my website. Isn’t it wonderful that Jesus warns us to look at the hearts of people in high places before we befriend them because they may have agendas other than love. I prayed for you today and hope you know how wide and long and high and deep God’s love is for you. Blessings, Jody

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    1. Thank you for your encouragement and coming to my website. I hope you have responded to Jesus’ invitation to be your savior and hope you know how long and wide and high and deep his love is for you. I prayed for you today. Blessings, Jody

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    1. Thank you for your encouragement and coming to my website. I hope you have responded to Jesus’ invitation to be your savior and hope you know how long and wide and high and deep his love is for you. I prayed for you today. Blessings, Jody

    1. Thanks for the heads up and coming to my website. I hope you have responded to Jesus’ invitation to be your savior and hope you know how long and wide and high and deep his love is for you. I prayed for you today. Blessings, Jody

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    1. Thank you for your encouragement and coming to my website. I hope you have responded to Jesus’ invitation to be your savior and hope you know how long and wide and high and deep his love is for you. I prayed for you today. Blessings, Jody

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    1. Thank you for coming to my website and your encouragement. I prayed for you today and hope you know how wide and long and high and deep God’s love is for you. Blessings, Jody

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    1. Thank you for your encouragement and for coming to my website. Isn’t it wonderful that Jesus warns us to look at the hearts of people in high places before we befriend them because they may have agendas other than love. I prayed for you today and hope you know how wide and long and high and deep God’s love is for you. Blessings, Jody

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