Luke 4:1 Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wild. God knew He would be tempted there. God doesn't tempt us but allows us to be so that we can see what is really in our hearts...."Serve God with absolute singleheartedness (Luke 4:8)." Jesus never gave the devil a foothold so the devil retreated lying in wait hoping for another time.
God's Spirit is on me to set the burden and battered free (4:21). To announce pardon for the prisoners---those in self-made prisons finding life from second things---changed to become prisoners of hope to first things only.
Dr. Luke describes Jesus healing: a deranged mind, uncontrollably high fever, an outcast leper, a bedridden paraplegic. A trained doctor has depth and wealth of insight into what really happens in the healing of those kinds of diseases. Dr. Luke presents us with a compelling portrait of a Great Physician Who forgives our sins and heals our diseases. Doctors like Luke show up to fix our problems, if they can. Jesus shows up in frontyards and backyards and corners and closets to change us from the inside out. Wonder where He will show up for us today? Am I more constrained by His Love or by His Hand to help me?
"Who needs a doctor: the healthy or the sick (Luke 5:31)? I'm here inviting outsiders, not insiders—an invitation to a changed life, changed inside and out."
Luke 2:8-12 - “They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God's angel stood among them and God's glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, "Don't be afraid. I'm here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David's town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master” Lowly shepherds working the hard night shift, the angel comes to tell them this Savior is for everybody, the ones others overlook.
ReplyDeleteLuke 2:25 “a man who lived in the prayerful expectancy” …”and the Holy Spirit was upon him.” Simeon, chosen prophet of the Lord, waited on what the Lord had told him. And he saw salvation face to Face.
Luke 2:36 “She had been married seven years and a widow for eighty-four. She never left the Temple area, worshiping night and day with her fastings and prayers.” I’m so touched by her faithfulness. Eighty-four years without her beloved, yet she found her True Beloved and never left His presence.
Luke 2:39-40 – “There the child grew strong in body and wise in spirit. And the grace of God was on him.” I still can hardly imagine being the parents of the Son of God.
Luke 3:18 – “There was a lot more of this—words that gave strength to the people, words that put heart in them. The Message!” We read along each day in our plan, not because it’s popular and goodness knows, it is sometimes a difficult Message. But the Words give strength and put heart back in us. It is such a privilege to read alongside each of you as we find our way in His Word!
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete"This is what you're to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger."
ReplyDeleteOh, how these shepherds must have been overwhelmed! Angels announcing the birth of the Saviour, but telling them to look for a baby?!? Lying in a manger?!??
How hard would that have been to find????
I love the movie The Nativity, when the old shepherd moves his rough and weathered hand towards baby Jesus. His hand trembles violently as his arm moves very slowly, worshipful, towards the baby.
Wondering if any of these sheep they were keeping watch over were meant for an altar...
It would be perfectly God to reveal His Spotless Lamb to those who cared for the lambs used for sacrificial offerings.
Jesus has come! And this world hasn't been the same since his arrival!
And Mary. His mother. His mommy. I don't give her as much thought as I should for the Gift that she brought to me through God's plan of grace.
She found favor with God.
She really was the mother of The Pearl.
Oh, "twinkle" how every word you wrote resonated in my very soul. bless you, when you reminded us of the scene in The Nativity of the old shepherd reaching his rough hand out to touch the baby and it trembled, that brought tears to my eyes..for I think my hand would tremble violently even to touch the hem of His garment. Blessings on you this day and on your heart for Him.
ReplyDeleteMy apologies for my multiple mistakes on posting wrong day but I think it's cleared up now.
ReplyDeleteThis past week has been the roughest one for me in a while. Oh, I long to live in prayerful expectancy of help for me and my family. Please pray for me.
ReplyDeleteprayerfully expecting a Parade...
Bev, did you get the update on Rod's dad? I posted it yesterday but is gone today. If not, let me know and I'll post again.
ReplyDelete--michele
Thanks :)
ReplyDelete--
http://www.miriadafilms.ru/ приобрести фильмы
для сайта covertocoverchronologically.blogspot.com