It’s about Him, alone.

 When the crowds were increasing, he began to say, "This generation is an evil generation. It seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah. For as Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh, so will the Son of Man be to this generation."  Luke 11:29-30 (ESV)

When God calls a generation evil, it is evil. The reason given here is that this generation seeks a sign. One might think that this would not be evil, yet, in reality, it is something that Satan can easily use to distract and distort reality.

Those who evaluate God based on miracles observed are seeking more of a genie in a bottle than God. If you want to be wowed, look at the creation.

People tend to get used to the many miraculous things God has already done and is doing and want more. There is no need for more.

When Moses did various actions to prove God was with Him, the evil magicians did the same several times. If your only evaluation tool was miracles, you would be confused.

Satan has powers, too, and, although limited by God, is not shy about using them to distract and distort. We need to be careful not to seek the sign but to seek Jesus. Christianity is not about miracles or "wow" moments; it is about Christ. We need to make it about Him alone.

There will be no debate...

 

"When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and finding none it says, 'I will return to my house from which I came.' And when it comes, it finds the house swept and put in order. Then it goes and brings seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there. And the last state of that person is worse than the first."  Luke 11:24-26 (ESV) "THE SOUL, FROM WHICH CONVICTIONS OF SIN HAVE BEEN FINALLY BANISHED, IS MORE PERFECTLY PREPARED TO BECOME THE SEAT OF ABSOLUTE WICKEDNESS THAN BEFORE THESE CONVICTIONS BEGAN." (T. Dwight) Those who know the truth and reject it will be the most miserable people on earth. Countless depressed, anxious, and hopeless people have known and rejected the truth. They realize that if the truth is truth, then their lives are a wreck, and they one day will give an account for such thought and living. Often they become preoccupied with convincing themselves or others that the truth is not the truth. If they could somehow convince themselves of no absolutes, then all beliefs are valid, all religions are good, and belief and feelings can become the source of truth. The problem is that Jesus said that He alone was the truth, the life, and the way to God. That means that either Jesus is correct, and those who disagree are wrong, or Jesus is wrong. One day there will be no debate for God will declare this war over, and all will stand before Him and acknowledge that He, alone, is God. Those who refuse to admit and live that way now, especially those who once knew and now reject Him, will be inconsolably miserable. For now, the choice is mine.

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As should I...

 

"Now he was casting out a demon that was mute. When the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke, and the people marveled. But some of them said, "He casts out demons by Beelzebul, the prince of demons…."  Luke 11:14-15(ESV) Haters are going to hate. Gathering with people to spread rumors, gossip, and your misguided opinions is evil. These people had no desire to examine the evidence; they desired to disqualify Jesus by associating Him with the Evil One. Leaders who lead are always in a tough position. Those who are doing nothing but watching are in the prime seats of criticism and have often perfected their slander craft. Leaders can spend a lot of time correcting them, or they can continue to work, respond minimally as necessary, and see how their personal beliefs work out. Jesus, the creator, and sustainer of life, answered his critics with a few choice words and a life well-lived, as should I.

God Wants To Provide For Us

 

"What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"  Luke 11:11-13(ESV) Sometimes we think people are more compassionate than God. They are not. Actually, people can be manipulative or manipulated, whereas God is neither. People may do things they think are right; God does things that are right. When we see responsibility and kindness displayed in people, we need to use it to remind us of  God's responsible and kind actions. When there is a need, God can provide, and since He loves us, knows the future, and has plans for us in the future, we should approach Him with boldness, expectations, and confidence. God wants to provide for us; we should not get in His way.

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Enjoy

 

And he said to them, "Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnightand say to him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves, for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him'; and he will answer from within, 'Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything'? I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his impudence he will rise and give him whatever he needs. And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened."  Luke 11:5-10 (ESV) God is our Father, who loves us. He created us, sustains us, and enjoys who we are. We need to act by this truth.

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Forgiveness

 

"…and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation."  Luke 11:4 (ESV) "We want from God a full and free forgiveness, that has mingled with it no grudges and no coolnesses; a forgiveness that blots out our transgressions, that takes away all our iniquity, and receives us graciously and loves us freely; and that mercy which we want from Him we must be ready to show to others."         (Washington Gladden, D. D.) We often want God to "understand" why we sinned. I am sure He does. I need not spend time trying to get God to understand me. Regardless of my justification for my sin, it is wrong. Confession is not rationalization or excuses. Confession is about stating the obvious, identifying with what is right, and adjusting our lives accordingly. We need a way to evaluate our lives honestly. If we hold grudges, and want others to pay for their evil, or are satisfied when disaster strikes the Godless, we lack understanding and are probably miserable. Healthy people forgive, extend mercy, and live by grace. If we enjoy or value God's forgiveness, then we need to forgive.

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Grateful

And he said to them, "When you pray, say: "Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread…."  Luke 11:2-3 (ESV) As we pray, we need to realize that we are talking to God, our Father, who knows everything. He even knows what we are going to pray for and knows our hearts and how often our hearts are indifferent to the many blessings He has given us. When I was a boy, I never went hungry. My parents made sure that we always had enough food. I never lacked proper clothing. I was not concerned with paying the utility bills and I knew nothing of insurance, mortgages, taxes, and the like. When I was a boy, I took all that was provided for me for granted. I did not understand life any other way, and I thought that all children lived in a similar circumstance. My parents made sure I was cared for and that I did not need to worry. I lived in the USA, where the most deprived people were often richer than many others in the world. It is easy to get used to provisions and even consider them a "right." Yet, Jesus is reminding us that it is healthy to acknowledge the sources of blessing, and God is ultimately the one responsible for such things.  Grateful people are usually generous and kind people, for they know that all they have has been given them and that their Father has plenty more available. Today, I choose to be grateful