Luke

February 21st – Luke 17:5

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Luke 17:5

We live in a world which has a mindset that “more is better.” But Jesus says to walk closer to Him, we need to value quality over quantity. There were none closer to the Lord than the 12 men He handpicked to walk beside Him. For three years the disciples faithfully followed Jesus as He healed the sick, fed the hungry, and raised the dead. And still they cried out to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” Yet it wasn’t actually more faith they were seeking, but rather a deep, genuine faith that empowered them to fulfill all Jesus called them to do.

The disciples understood that faith is the Word of God in action. It is meant to be lived out, not left idle and stale. Because the deeper our belief and trust, the closer we are to God. Even the tiniest bit of genuine faith in the Lord, can produce amazing results in our life and in the lives of others. And that’s the kind of faith the disciples wanted. Because of their overflowing love and gratitude for their Savior, they wanted an active, deep faith. One that not only allowed them to walk closer to Jesus, but as did Jesus. Is that the faith you want? I do! So how can we have that kind of genuine faith?

First through spending time in God’s Word. All relationships need nurturing. By feasting on the scriptures, we get to know who Jesus is and what He teaches. Another is through obedience. When we step out in trusting faith, obeying God’s will in all things, we learn to depend on Him completely. And third, we grow closer to the Lord by living out our faith for all to see. By loving, forgiving, and caring for others as Jesus does, we become living examples of our Savior in action for the world to witness.

 

February 21st – Luke 17:5 Read More »

January 4th – Proverbs 31:25

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Proverbs 31:25

Today’s culture conveys to women that we must be focused on achievements. Including higher pay, and external beauty. But a woman of faith loves God with all her heart, soul, and strength (Mt 22:37). She is filled with the Holy Spirit and lives in freedom because of her faith in Christ Jesus. And because of her faith she walks with strength, dignity and peace. A woman of faith is able to experience overwhelming joy not anxiety. And she is also fearless about the future. For she is ready to face anything with God,  “laughing at the days to come.”

So, let’s break down Proverbs 31:15 so that this freedom available to all His daughters, is found in us. “She is clothed…” We only need to go into any large department store these days to see how much value women place on clothing. But 1 Peter 3:3 says, “Your beauty should not come from outward adornments, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes.” Rather, the godly woman will be clothed with her Christ-like character. More of our attention should be set on the conditions of our heart. For our outside shell is fading away.

“She is clothed with strength and dignity;” These two traits fit nicely together, for you won’t find strength of character without the dignity. And you won’t find dignity in a person who is weak. Unfortunately, the culture today seems to be defining a “strong woman” as one who is sassy, disrespectful, insolent and truly un-dignified. Our culture seems to call anger strength, and it’s hurting especially the younger generations in my opinion.

But God’s word is clear, meek has never been a synonym for weak. Because true strength of character comes from strength in The Spirit (Lk 1:80) And because of that strength she can laugh. Why? Because she has no fear of the days to come. For she lives wisely and is prepared for what might come. She knows aging is inevitable and doesn’t care. She knows what true beauty is; a gentle and quiet spirit inside of her. And she can laugh because she is carefree, not running after the things of the world. Instead she trusts and leans on her Savior, encouraging others to do the same!

Blessings….Sue

 

 

 

 

January 4th – Proverbs 31:25 Read More »

December 27th – Luke 2:25-35

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Luke 2:25-35

How was your Christmas? Did you get that special gift you so desired? More than just a holiday of celebrating for us, Christmas is also the birthday of our Lord and Savior. So how about His gift? What do you think Jesus wants for His special day? We can find out through an encounter at God’s temple between Simeon, Mary, Joseph, and the small “Lord’s Christ”. First, Jesus wants our lives. Simeon waited a long time to see God’s promise fulfilled. But in the meantime, he lived in obedience and righteousness. Second He wants our praise and worship. When Jesus was placed in Simeon’s arms, the first thing he did was to joyfully thank and pay homage to God.  And finally, the Lord wants our purpose. Simeon’s purpose was to proclaim the Good News of Christ. And our purpose is the same, to lead others to the saving grace of Jesus. Christ gave to us the greatest gift of all, so shouldn’t be eager to give Him the gifts He wants as well?

December 27th – Luke 2:25-35 Read More »

December 25th – Luke 1:68-69

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Luke 1:-68-69

I once heard a preacher say, “If our greatest need was entertaining, God would have sent us an actor. If our greatest need was technology, God would have sent us a scientist. If our greatest need was more things, God would have sent us a genie. But since our greatest need is forgiveness, God sent us a Savior.” Because our God is perfect, true, and the source of all love, from the beginning it was His plan to redeem His people. And so He promised to send a Messiah. A sacrificial Lamb who would come to give His life for all of mankind. A promise fulfilled in the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. God in the flesh, Jesus came to be our Friend, Teacher, and Redeemer. He is the greatest Christmas present of all! May we give thanks and rejoice for Christ’s birth, death, and the salvation He freely offers to each and every one. Merry Christmas to you all, and may the light of Christ’s love shine upon you this and every day of the year!

December 25th – Luke 1:68-69 Read More »

December 16th – Luke 2:8-20

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Luke 2: 8-20

The birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, was a once in a lifetime world changing event. So you’d think God would reveal the glorious happenings to kings, scholars, and the prominent religious leaders of the day. But instead, God announced His gift to the world first to the lowly, simple, and outcast. Shepherds were considered spiritually unclean. Yet temple shepherds tending the unblemished lambs to be sacrificed, were the first to hear the news. How fitting. Because Jesus is the Lamb of God, with no blemish in Him to be found. The Lamb who came for to save the hurt, poor, downtrodden, and outcasts. The ones the world throws away, Christ gladly wraps in His arms of love, and extends His unmerited, amazing grace. So this Christmas, and everyday of the year, I give thanks for the wonderfully good thing the Lord did for me, and every other sinner in the world.

December 16th – Luke 2:8-20 Read More »

December 11th – Luke 1:46-56

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Luke 1:46-56

Many are the carols and songs we sing at Christmas, and we each have our favorites. But one of the greatest Christmas songs, and probably least known, is the song sung by Mary. The young mother blessed by God to birth the Savior of the world, sang the very first Christmas song. Called the Magnificat, Mary’s song resulted from a visit to her cousin Elizabeth in the Judean hill country. Elizabeth had blessed Mary greatly, causing the young pregnant mother to burst out in praise and thanks to God. The word “Magnificat”, means to glorify or magnify. And that’s what this humble, young servant of God did. Mary sang of the glory of God. Of His holiness, mercy, and great power. A song we too should sing not just at Christmas, but every day of the year!

 

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December 10th – Luke 1:30-45

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Luke 1:30-45

During the time of Jesus’ birth, the customary age for betrothal was 13 or 14. And Mary was probably around this young age when Joseph asked her to marry him. Think about that! And at her tender age not only did Mary get a proposal, she was also visited by the angel Gabriel. God’s angel came to the young girl to announce that Mary would give birth to the Savior of the world. Now Jewish tradition demanded harsh treatment for unmarried pregnant women. Religious leaders would have dealt with her severely. Yet Mary remained strong in her faith responding, “…may it be done according to your word.” (Luke 26:38. Mary was an ordinary girl with extraordinary faith. A faith tested constantly as she watched her beloved child suffer, and lay down His life for the whole world. A good and faithful servant, she is an model and inspiration to us all.

 

 

December 10th – Luke 1:30-45 Read More »

December 9th – 2:1-7

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Luke 2:1-7

Birth announcements are quite the thing these days. People hold lavish parties, do extravagant gender reveals, and decorate the nursery fit for a king. God could have made the birth of His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, a party to end all party’s. But He didn’t. Instead He let the Savior of the world lie not in gold lined crib, but in a primitive animal trough. As King of the world, Christ could have come with great pomp and circumstance, and been born in a palace. Yet instead, in great humility, the Lamb of God was born with a stable for a nursery. Why? Because our Lord came to bring salvation to all, both great and small, rich and poor. God so loved the world that He sent His Son from His glorious throne in heaven, to share in our wretchedness. For our sakes He became poor so that through His poverty, we might become rich. (2 Cor. 8:9) And that’s the greatest birth announcement of all!

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November 29th – Luke 12:7

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Luke 12:7

Although it varies by both the individual and the color, a person averages around 100,00 hairs on their head at one time. That’s a lot of hairs to count, yet God knows the exact number each person has. Why? Because with His hands, He created every individual specifically according to His purpose and plans. And to Him, we are of great value. He loves us unconditionally, perfectly, and without end. As His beloved children, our Father in heaven cares about every part of our lives. God is deeply devoted to everything He makes, especially us, because we were created in His image. The Lord knows us intimately. Better than we even know ourselves. He knows our our good and bad, our problems and victories, and our joy and pain. And He collects every tear we shed in His bottle. (Ps. 56:8) How thankful are we that even if the whole world rejects us, God never will. For He loves us like no other!

November 29th – Luke 12:7 Read More »

October 11th – Luke 6:35

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Luke 6:35

From childhood we are all taught the golden rule. “In everything, do to others what you would have them do to you.” (Matt. 7:12) Easier said than done. Because no matter how well you treat people, there will be some that will still mistreat you. The truth is, in our own strength it’s impossible to treat those who hurt, abuse, and misuse us. But in the strength of the Spirit, nothing is impossible. But why is God so insistent on us being different from the world? Why does He want us being good to all people? Because if God treated us in the way we deserve, there would be no hope. For we too were once His enemy. But God has nothing but love for all of His children. And so His greatest desire is for us to turn from our sin and receive the salvation He freely offers. And we as followers of Jesus, should want the same for all of our brothers and sisters. So we are to show God’s love and mercy to both friends and enemies, in the hope that they too will repent and be saved!

October 11th – Luke 6:35 Read More »