Luke 2 - So touched by the life of Joseph to go with his fiance who was pregnant and believe her. Says so much about Joseph and his humility and devotion to his friend---says so much about Mary's humility and life. You know how there are young people who you just can't say enough good about them even though we are all depraved. Mary dealt with hers. And we see firsthand how Joseph dealt with his unbelief.
And who do we find in the Temple but Simeon (Luke 2:25), a man who "lived in the prayerful expectancy of help for Israel." May we learn better how to live in prayerful expectancy for others. "And the Holy Spirit was on him." And Anna...the prophetess, was there still worshiping night and day with fastings and prayers. Married only 7 years, she was a widow for 84 years. And she gets to behold the One she adores. She met Him. Divine Appointment (2:38).
And the grace of God was all over Jesus (2:40). Grace upon Grace. May this very Sunday, God's Grace be over us in all our mess-up's. Fill in those ditches. Smooth out the bumps. Straighten the detours. Pave over the ruts. May we not demand but prayerfully expect You to show up for the parade today. Your Parade of Grace all over us (3:21). I'm such a mess this day. Oh, but a glorious mess! I'm in such need of your Grace! Oh, Glorious Grace!
~ A Daughter of God (Luke 3:38)
Jesus prepared his body and mind by fasting and praying. Then he set out to heal.
ReplyDeleteTo share, to heal, to preach, requires more than a mindset. It requires strength which can only come through preparation. This is our year to get spiritually strong, physically able to resist the tempations which would distract us from what He has intended for us. This is God's year to act!
Luke 3:18-20, "There was a lot more of this—words that gave strength to the people, words that put heart in them."
Luke 4:16-21,
God's Spirit is on me;
he's chosen me to preach the Message of good news to
the poor,
Sent me to announce pardon to prisoners and
recovery of sight to the blind,
To set the burdened and battered free,
to announce, "This is God's year to act!"
Luke 4:2 -”For forty wilderness days and nights he was tested.” When we’re in long seasons of wilderness testing, we can stand on the promises of God to sustain us.
ReplyDeleteLuke 4:12 “"Yes," said Jesus, "and it's also written, 'Don't you dare tempt the Lord your God.'" Our defense is Scripture.
Luke 4:20 - "This is God's year to act!" Do it, Lord. Make us ready to receive You, Lord.
Luke 4:40 – “everyone who had anyone sick with some ailment or other brought them to him. One by one he placed his hands on them and healed them.” Our healing is personal—one by one, He knows our need and touches us to heal.
Luke 5:8 “Simon Peter, when he saw it, fell to his knees before Jesus. "Master, leave. I'm a sinner and can't handle this holiness.” Just like Isaiah, when we are confronted with God’s holiness, we become acutely aware of our sinfulness.
Luke 5:23 – “Which is simpler: to say 'I forgive your sins,' or to say 'Get up and start walking'? Well, just so it's clear that I'm the Son of Man and authorized to do either, or both. . . ." He now spoke directly to the paraplegic: "Get up. Take your bedroll and go home." We need both healing and forgiveness. So thankful that Jesus is the One that can do both. Forgiveness is harder. We need His love to do it.
Have a great Monday with new beginnings. Forgive someone. Be healed. This is God’s year to act.
"As often as possible Jesus withdrew to out-of-the-way places for prayer." Luke 5:16
ReplyDeleteThey sought him out.
They clung to him.
They left their boats on the beach and followed him.
They could not keep it to themselves how he had changed them.
And he withdrew.
To pray in a quiet place.
To the Father.
"God, my shepherd!
I don't need a thing.
You have bedded me down in lush meadows, you find me quiet pools to drink from.
True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction.
Even when the way goes through
Death Valley, I'm not afraid when you walk at my side.
Your trusty shepherd's crook makes me feel secure.
You serve me a six-course dinner right in front of my enemies.
You revive my drooping head; my cup brims with blessing.
Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life.
I'm back home in the house of God for the rest of my life."
Psalm 23