Luke 1: 1-4 The other three Gospels are reports from eyewitnesses. Not so with Luke. Dr. Luke, with his analytical medical mind, "investigated all the reports in close detail, starting from the story's beginning." The birth, death, resurrection, ascension. Luke did this so that we can know beyond the shadow of a doubt the reliability of what was taught at that time.
Dr. Luke got the 411 on Mary and Elizabeth whose prayers were being listened to by God. Does God hear mine today? Luke found what God was doing to get the people ready for God...softening hearts of parents to their children, kindling devout understanding among skeptics. We are all "the Lord's maid, ready to serve." Let it be with me (1:38)...if you believe what God said, believe every word will come true, you will be blessed (1:45)! Would you soften our hearts this day to our own children? Tend to us, God!
Luke 1:66 - Clearly, God has His Hand in this." Open the eyes of our hearts that we may see You in what we are going through. It's not about how strong we are. Your Strength is made perfect in our weakness (2Cor 12:9). Help us see You and Your Hand more clearly.
Oh, yes how I need to see Your hand more clearly in a situation that involves my church home. I truly only want what You want, I am struggling...show me clearly or show my better half more clearly. I have to ask myself what do I want more.....what I think is the right answer or what God's answer is for us? Don't want to run from things...want to stay in the center of Your will. Blessings on everyone's week end and day of worship tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteLuke 1:13 – “Don't fear, Zachariah. Your prayer has been heard. Elizabeth, your wife, will bear a son by you. You are to name him John. You're going to leap like a gazelle for joy, and not only you—many will delight in his birth. He'll achieve great stature with God.” How long Zachariah must have prayed this prayer. How discouraged he must have been. Then, almost as a last ditch effort, he spoke the desire of Elizabeth’s and his heart—“Remember us, Lord…”
ReplyDeleteLuke 1:36 – “Yes, I see it all now: I'm the Lord's maid, ready to serve.” No fear. No rebellion. No paralysis. Mary was the Lord’s handmaiden, ready to serve. Lord, prepare my heart to receive You that I may respond in complete agreement without fear, accepting my assignment because it is from You.
Luke 1:39 – “When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby in her womb leaped. She was filled with the Holy Spirit, and sang out exuberantly” Mary sought out the one who would understand her awe—her cousin Elizabeth. And perhaps she was the only one at that point who would “get it.” Elizabeth’s response tells us she did. She was filled with the Holy Spirit, knowing how blessed they both were to be carrying the Lord’s anointed one, John, and the Lord Himself. Can you even imagine their conversation? They had a few months to privately ponder all this might mean.
Luke 1:45 – “Blessed woman, who believed what God said, believed every word would come true!” How blessed we are when we believe on God, not just believe in Him, but place our trust in His promises for us.
Luke 1:46 “ I'm bursting with God-news; I'm dancing the song of my Savior God. God took one good look at me, and look what happened—I'm the most fortunate woman on earth! What God has done for me will never be forgotten, the God whose very name is holy, set apart from all others. His mercy flows in wave after wave…” I love the Song of Mary, so in love with God, so filled with God news, seeing His mercy in wave after wave!
Luke 1: - “What he swore to our father Abraham—a clean rescue from the enemy camp, so we can worship him without a care in the world, made holy before him as long as we live.” The joy of this daddy, so full of faith and promise in his son touches my heart. And we know it is not without pain that indeed these words are fulfilled.
Today’s verses are filled with joy and expectation and promise. God fulfilled the Promise fully. I wonder how difficult it was to be these parents as the next thirty years unfolded.
How different it looks for our own children than what I thought it would. Nothing in comparison to John and Jesus, but I still am filled with faith today to claim His good promises fulfilled in my children.
Lord, give us a clean escape from our enemy so that we can worship You without fear, filled with joy and expectation. What good thing will You do this day on our behalf. Hear those tired prayers today that we mumble once again. Bless us with enough understanding to know Your presence in wave after wave of Your mercy. In the holy Name of the Promise Himself we pray, Amen.
"So many others have tried their hand at putting together a story of the wonderful harvest of Scripture and history that took place among us, using reports handed down by the original eyewitnesses who served this Word with their very lives. Since I have investigated all the reports in close detail, starting from the story's beginning, I decided to write it all out for you, most honorable Theophilus, so you can know beyond the shadow of a doubt the reliability of what you were taught."
ReplyDeleteLuke is writing to Theophilus (his name means "the one who loves God).
Theophilus is a Roman name.
Luke is a doctor that has traveled with Paul. I can only imagine how the two of them met.
I like the fact that one of the four gospels was written by a Gentile and it is a compilation of the TRUTH of Christ, being sent to a Roman...to the forming church.
I picked these verses from today's reading because I'm putting my name in the place of Theophilus.
Luke writes to Deborah...the one who loves God...to teach her about the humanity and compassion of Jesus Christ. Luke is a very learned man with a lot of opportunity to discredit the ministry of Jesus Christ.
Instead, he writes here as a person of faith, inspired by the Holy Spirit, and gifted to understand the miracle of divine healing, resurrection and virgin birth...powerful signs of the divine coming of the Lord to save his people.
I am a gentile. God drew me to his Son, Jesus, to save me. The words of Luke are written for me.
I give thanks for stories told, written accounts shared, eyewitness healings and miracles, and verses to run to when I need help.
Luke, tell me about Jesus...one more time...
I am rejoicing over some answered prayer. Since our retreat, I have gotten to experience the sweet presence of the Lord Jesus that I haven't had in a long time. I have a daily battle between my head and my heart and oh I long to continue to live in hope and faith. Help me Lord to keep my eyes on You. Thank you for the small victories! (Maybe they're not small - victories none the less.)
ReplyDeleteOur teaching pastor, Stuart Rothberg, a "completed" Jew, has just started a powerful message series on the Book of Numbers "In the Wilderness." Our reading The Message through and the continuing themes from 66 Love Letters just keeps me "bruised." God's word is a mirror. Father, may You continue to illuminate and shape my life as You see fit.
If you're interested, here is the link to the audio for the Numbers series: http://www.sagemontchurch.org/learn/wednesday/
Please pray for my father-in-law. He fell a week ago and evidently has something very wrong and was taken to the hospital this morning. We don't know enough yet but may have to make a trip to Louisiana. The boys are away at a marching contest.
Thank you dear Pearls!
--michele
Michele, Just prayed for your f-i-l and hope that you have the opportunity to be with him soon. We rejoice with you in what God is doing in your life. It makes me really happy for you. We all have daily battles in our mind and heart. May we see Him a little more clearer than just trees walking. Praying for you Michele.
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