The Jesus Calling series by Sarah Young is bringing thousands of Christians into the psychic world of channeling. Young’s books are some of the best-selling books in the Christian world, even top evangelical publishers present her work.

I challenge you to investigate for yourself this material. Jesus calling, yes, one can act as a medium or channeller or psychic, and Jesus will speak words to you. This is of course far from biblical. As followers of Jesus we pray to our Lord and find His words in our Scripture.

Psychics, for long centuries, go into their trans states, and get words and messages and prophecies – but the speaker is a demon, and in this case, the Jesus Calling series, is imitating Jesus.

Two persons in the church I pastor, Miller Avenue Baptist Church in Mill Valley, in my 39 years there as pastor, became involved with the Jesus Calling series and have now repented of it. Interestingly enough, both thought there was something wrong with it and laid the books aside, but spoke to me of their experiences when I happened to mention Sarah Young’s series on Jesus Calling in a sermon recently.

I felt it incumbent upon me to present this to my Facebook friends, and to those who receive my blog.

I suggest Chris Lawson’s Spiritual Research Network on this issue. And also find a way to get Brenna E. Scott’s book, Christian Journaling or Psychic Channeling?: A Critical Comparison of the Jesus Calling Series with Occult Training Literature.

I close with 1 Peter 5:8: “Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seek someone to devour.”

Luke 14:25–35

Find a quiet place, alone and apart from distractions. Be comfortably alert, still and at peace. Say the Lord’s Prayer. Sing or cant the Jesus Prayer. Pray for family, friends, neighbors, and yourself. Slowly and carefully read the passage of Scripture.

1.         At this point, Jesus with His disciples, are heading toward Jerusalem, and “great” crowds of people are accompanying them. Verses 26 to 35 are addressed to the “crowds.”

2.         The word “hate” as in “does not hate” his own family members is shocking, and if one where to take it literally, is Jesus saying that in order to be one of His disciples, a person must “hate” his or her family?

3.         We know that Jesus often says that we are to love others, especially family members, including enemies. Thus most commentators do not take the word “hate” literally, nor do I. It is a way of speaking to dramatize what is at stake to be a follower of Jesus.

4.         There is a cost that a Christian will pay, and Jesus was about to pay the highest price; indeed, the cross is looming ahead, and all but one of His appointed apostles would be killed at the hands of those who hate Jesus.

5.         This is “full disclosure” on Jesus’ part. He told them the truth about what it would mean to claim Him as the Messiah of Israel.

6.         Christian history collaborates what Jesus said. And even now, in our own day, we find it to be so, not necessarily in our America, but in lands where Christianity is not valued it is apparent.

7.         Yet as some say, “the times they are a changing.”

Luke 2:22–40

Find a quiet place, alone and apart from distractions. Be comfortably alert, still and at peace. Say the Lord’s Prayer. Sing or cant the Jesus Prayer. Pray for family, friends, neighbors, and yourself. Slowly and carefully read the passage of Scripture.

1.         Joseph and Mary follow the directions given in the Law of Moses for the child Jesus and mother Mary.

2.         While at the Temple the family meets Simeon who was waiting for the fulfillment of the promises regarding the Messiah found in the Hebrew Bible.

3.         By direction of the Holy Spirit, he locates the little family, takes baby Jesus in his arms, and issues the last of the “songs” in Luke, the Nunc Dimittus, meaning ‘mission now completed.’

4.         In the first part of the song, he knows his mission is complete as he has seen the Lord’s salvation, which is Jesus.

5.         This salvation will be for not only the Jews but for Gentiles as well. Then Simeon describes the ministry of Jesus, it will be for the “fall and rising of many,” and for a “sign that is opposed.”  This see this being fulfilled now.

6.         Then he speaks about a “sword” that will pierce through Mary as well, an indication of what will happen to baby Jesus, thus the crucifixion and death of Mary’s son.

7.         Then as a second testimony there is Anna, a devout woman 84 years old, who provides another witness to Joseph and Mary, and all who witnessed the event, that the child Jesus was the “redemption of Jerusalem,” another way of referring to the coming Messiah and His ministry.

8.         Now then the little family heads back home to Nazareth where baby Jesus will grow and become strong.

Genesis 3:14–16; Psalm 22:14–18; Isaiah 7:14; 9:6–7; Gal. 4:1-6

Find a quiet place, alone and apart from distractions. Be comfortably alert, still and at peace. Say the Lord’s Prayer. Sing or cant the Jesus Prayer. Pray for family, friends, neighbors, and yourself. Slowly and carefully read the passages of Scripture.

God addressing the Serpent, who had deceived Adam and Eve, states, “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head and you shall bruise his heal.”

1. The woman’s offspring, as the historic drama in Scripture makes plain is Mary’s son Jesus, who defeats the serpent while the serpent is only able to do minor or temporary damage.
2. In Psalm 22 then is a portrayal of the damage the serpent does, all under the authority of the Creator. The Psalmist, David depicts a man dying on a cross hundreds of years before the invention of this horrible instrument of execution is invented.
3. Isaiah the prophet speaks of a virgin giving birth to “Immanuel” which means “God with us.” Then this virgin born son is “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (If you look carefully you will see the Trinity.)
4. Further along in Isaiah we find this Immanuel as the suffering servant of Israel. The prophet speaks of a person despised and rejected, but who is “wounded for our iniquities” and upon whom is laid all of our sin.
5. Isaiah goes on to say that this despised one’s dying is an “offering for sin” yet his days will be prolonged, even that “the will of the LORD prosper in his hand.” This is clearly about Jesus’ resurrection. (see Isaiah 53)

In the first century CE a former Jewish Rabbi, the Apostle Paul, in writing to a Gentile audience, sums up the ultimate intention of God in this manner: When the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were born under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. Galatians 4:4-5

Gospel Meditation

Mark 3:31–35; Luke 1:26–56; John 2:1–11; 19:16-27;

Acts 1:12—14

Find a quiet place, alone and apart from distractions. Be comfortably alert, still, and at peace. Recite the Lord’s Prayer. Sing or cant the Jesus Prayer. Her name appears 51 times in the New Testament. It is thought the name means “bitterness” or “sorrow,” and indeed she had much sorrow as well as joy.

Why was Mary chosen to give birth to the Messiah? She was of no account, was poor, and lived in a small village with no reputation. Indeed, Nathaniel asked, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” (John 1:46)

What a wonderful mother she was. Besides giving birth to Jesus she gave birth to four boys, two of which became authors of New Testament books, James and Jude. And she bore at least two girls as well, maybe more, and who are unnamed in Scripture.

At one point her family questioned Jesus’ activities, thought He might be mad, yet she supported her son despite the opposition He faced. She was present at the crucifixion, and at one-point Jesus her son, while dying, commended her to the care of the Apostle John, the only disciple present at the cross. Legend has it that he cared for her until her death. At some point, they lived in Ephesus.

Mary became a widow as Joseph disappears fairly early on in the life of Jesus. Mary then raised a rather large family and with good result.

It is probable that you have at least one family member in your remembrance who has the name Mary or a derivative thereof.

She will always be honored as the woman who gave birth to our Lord Jesus Christ.

Matthew 1:18–25; 2:13–23, and Mark 6:1–6.

Find a quiet place, alone and apart from distractions. Be comfortably alert, still, and at peace. Recite the Lord’s Prayer.

1.         Joseph, of the line of David, as is Mary, a carpenter by trade and a thoughtful and respectful man, meets young Mary while on a contract deal in Nazareth of Galilee. They become legally betrothed to be married.

2.         Joseph discovers that his wife to be is pregnant, so likely at least 5 months along. He is badly shaken and decides to divorce her quietly, thus protecting both Mary and himself.

3.         God intervenes and fills Joseph in as to the actual events, which focus on the fact that the son to be born to Mary is the One who will bring salvation to “his” people.

4.         After the birth of Jesus, Joseph is warned to take Mary and the child and flee to Egypt because Herod is seeking to destroy the child, having been alerted by the three “Wise Men.” Egypt is 90 miles or more to the south of Bethlehem, where the family remained until Herod’s death, which was in 4 BCE. Yes, Jesus was likely born in 6 BCE not 0 CE.

5.         Herod, fearful that a powerful rival is in his domain, has children 2 years old and younger killed in the Bethlehem area. Estimates are that perhaps as many as 50 children were murdered on Herod’s orders.

6.         Joseph and family return to Israel, but upon arrival find that Herod’s ruthless son Archelaus is ruling Judea. Once again Joseph is warned in a dream of this danger, and flees north to Galilee, to a no-account city called Nazareth.

7.         Jesus will later be known as a “Nazarene”, which was a derogatory title. Note: John the Baptist took a “Nazarite” vow, meaning a person who lived an austere and spiritual lifestyle, which is different from being a “Nazarene.”

Luke 1:39–56

Find a quiet place, alone and apart from distractions. Be comfortably alert, still, and at peace. Slowly and carefully read the passage of Scripture. Memorize the memory verse.

1.         Mary and Elizabeth, cousins, and both descendants of the tribe of Judah, through whom the Messiah must come, both give birth, and both miraculously.

2.         Elizabeth, in her old age, will give birth to a male child who will be called John, and later, John the Baptist.

3.         Mary will give birth to Jesus, Jeshuah, or Joshua, who is the promised seed of Genesis 3:15, and who will triumph over the seed of the serpent, indeed, who is the Messiah or Christ.

4.         Mary, just after conception, travels south to Judea to visit her relative Elizabeth, who authenticates what has happened to young Mary. Elizabeth’s unborn child leaped in her womb when she heard Mary’s greeting, surely a miraculous sign of encouragement to both women.

5.         Mary then, unquestionably filled with the Holy Spirit, declares what is known as the “Magnificat” based on the first words Mary utters, “magnifies” the Lord and is an expression of wonderment, praise, and thanksgiving.

6.         The phrases “my soul” and “my spirit,” are a typical parallelism, and here of profound amazement and praise.

7.         Mary is acutely aware of her low status as a poor, young, female and bows before Her maker’s majesty.

8.         Then, due to an incredible flash of inspiration, she grasps something of who this child she will give birth to        is. 9.         Despite the powerlessness, humbleness, of her circumstance will come the fulfillment of what had been revealed to the prophets of old especially to Abraham.

Luke 14:1–24

1.         Whether the event of healing a man on the Sabbath, which the Pharisees thought was work thus not allowed on a Sabbath, was arranged by the Pharisees or not, is unclear.

2.         Jesus made it clear that ‘work’ would be done if a son or an ox needed rescue on a Sabbath, of course this work would be done. And the healing of a person fits this category.

3.         The wedding feast parable highlights the tendency to put on a show by guests who are proud of themselves due to their exalted status. The consequences of this are significant and point to a time of judgment in the future. It points out the self-importance common to Pharisees.

4.         In the parable of the great banquet, Jesus brings up something common in that culture, that by means of inviting others to a ‘great’ banquet, this favor would customarily be returned. The rich and powerful treated each other this way.

5.         In response to one of those present who spoke of a banquet, “eat bread” signifies such a banquet, Jesus talked of three persons who declined an invitation to a banquet given by a servant of the host.

6.         The “master of the house” became angry at the rejections to his invitation and ordered his servant to go out to the surrounding area and invite those who were poor and otherwise physically disabled. This would be unthinkable.

7.         But even this was not enough, the master ordered the servant to go outside the city and invite in foreigners, meaning Gentiles. The servant was even ordered to “compel people” to come in.

8.         Tragically however, those who rejected the summons to the banquet will not ever taste it. Here Jesus speaks of a judgment to come and likely He said this with great sorrow in His heart.

Gospel Meditation

Luke 13:31–35

Find a quiet place, alone and apart from distractions. Be comfortably alert, still, and at peace. Recite the Lord’s Prayer. Pray for family, friends, neighbors, and yourself. Slowly and carefully read the passage of Scripture.

1.         Jesus, with the Twelve are in Galilee heading for Jerusalem, is approached by a group of Pharisees who warn Him to leave the area. Herod, tetrarch of Galilee rules the area and, according to the Pharisee contingent, is out to murder Jesus.

2.         Whether this is true or not is unknown, but Jesus says to the religious leaders to go and let that “fox” meaning Herod who was crafty and treacherous, that He will not be intimidated but will go about His ministry.

3.         Jesus then reminds His hearers of the history of Israel’s leaders, the opposition and hostility aimed at the prophets God had sent to them.

4.         Jesus’ lament, His sorrowful statement, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem,” referring to the people’s rejection of the messengers God had sent to them, which shows the love He has for the nation of Israel.

5.         The result of the continued rejection of those who had been sent to the Jewish people means their faith is empty and fruitless.

6.         The final statement of Jesus is that the nation of Israel will not be blessed until they acknowledge Him as Savior and Messiah.  

Gospel Meditation

Luke 13:18–30

The Mustard Seed and the Leaven &

The Narrow Door

Find a quiet place, alone and apart from distractions. Be comfortably alert, still, and at peace. Recite the Lord’s Prayer. Sing or cant the Jesus Prayer. Pray for family, friends, neighbors, and yourself. Slowly and carefully read the passage of Scripture.

1.         Jesus, with two parables, that of the mustard seed and leaven, lets His followers know that the Kingdom of God will grow a little bit while appearing to be small and weak. This is like the very tiny seed of the mustard plant that can produce a large plant even resembling a tree. Then just a tiny bit of leaven can penetrate and produce a large amount of bread.

2. In “The Narrow Door” are two more parables, the first having to do with a “narrow” door, and we see in John 10 that Jesus Himself is that door. The kingdom of God, which the Jewish nation was waiting for, will be entered only through a narrow door.

3.         The second parable, our fourth being covered here, tells the story of a master of a house who will shut the door and when those outside ask to come he will respond “I never knew you.”

4.         The master of the house even says to the late comers “depart from me, all you workers of evil!” Thus, it is more than a case of not knowing, it is also that these are “workers of evil.”

5.         But, there will be those coming from all over the world who will be invited into the kingdom of God, and these likely are from the Gentile world.