Luke 3 - 4.5.24

Scripture: Luke‬ ‭3‬:‭2‬-‭3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

”during the high-priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.“

Observation:

John was in the wilderness when God’s word came to him.  “Word” in the original language is rhema. It means that which is spoken or an utterance. It is used in Matthew 4:4 where Jesus says “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.”  Rhema is also used when describing the word as a sword in the armor of God.   When John heard God’s word it gave him direction. He received a commission and took action. He preached and called people to repentance.  He was bold and called people out. Still they came in “multitudes.”  Why?  People are hungry for God and long for truth. Repentance brings healing and wholeness. Most of all we are united with God. It says in verse 15 they were “expectant” wondering if John was the messiah. John pointed them to Jesus.  That is our job too. 

Application:

We have God’s rhema word. Jesus said to go and make disciples.  People are drawn to someone who speaks God’s truth when they are doing it with His guidance and anointing. Love is the key. I need to act on the words God gives me and not hold back. John called the people a “brood of vipers.” Not kind words. He warned them and told them to repent. In response they asked “What should we do?”  They were open to change and to hear God’s word for their lives. 

Jesus died to provide salvation when someone repents. His sacrifice does not help others if we don’t share it with them. 

Prayer:

Lord, you choose to use people to share your Word. Please help me to obedient to your call and follow John’s and your example. No matter what the cost people’s salvation is worth it all. Thank you for all you have done for me and your incredible word. 

Amen  

- Cindy Howard

Luke 2 - 04.04.2024

SCRIPTURE-Luke 2:34-35 NIV

“Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

OBSERVATION

Mary is the subject of much controversy within various faiths. Some religions bow down and worship her, which the Bible tells us IS Idol worship. God, alone, deserves our Praise and Worship.

That said, there are some valuable lessons to learn from Mary and she is on my heart today as I read through these first two chapters of Luke.

Taking a step back to Luke chapter one, Mary is a teenager betrothed to Joseph when an Angel of God is sent to give her the news that God has chosen her to be the mother of the Promised Messiah. Knowing she has had no intimate knowledge of a man, she asks the Angel how this is possible. The angel replies that “The Holy Spirit will come on you”.

Mary stuns me. Her reply is swift and simple. “I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as you have said” (1:38)

Mary risked everything to be the Lord’s servant. Not only did she risk her reputation, Joseph, and her family—people would think she was crazy if she shared the story about becoming pregnant by the Holy Spirit.

And…Had Joseph chosen to accuse her of adultery she would have been stoned to death.

Still…despite these many risks…Mary said, “I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as You have said”.

APPLICATION

A Faith that doesn’t say I am “Willing”—But…MAY it BE

Simeon gave a word to Mary that this honor was going to come at a high price. Following Jesus comes at a Cost. Jesus shared about the cost of discipleship.

“And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple.

But don’t begin until you count the cost.” (Luke 14: 27-28a NLT)

Our commitment to Jesus will require us to move from comfort to courage. We will doubt our calling, we will at times think we’re crazy, we’ll want to look for the ‘easy’ way out. We will question ourselves and others may question us.

But Courageous Faith that says to God, May it BE, will bring us to our knees and draw us closer to God than we ever imagined possible.

PRAYER

LORD Jesus,

May it Be to me as You say. I want to be where You are. I am your servant. There are times when it feels terrifying, but I know, like David, I can share those feelings with you and declare how every single time YOU have been My Father, My Provider, My ever-present Help in times of need. Help me Lord to remember and declare Your Faithfulness! When I am tempted and weary, Thank You that Your Word is Life and Light and Strength that girds me. You are WITH me. Here I am Lord, Send me. In Jesus Name. amen.

 Tina Lisabeth Kudelka

Luke 1 - 4.3.24

Scripture

Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord. (Luke 1:45, NKJV)

Observation

The context of this verse is a conversation between Elizabeth and Mary, who are relatives. Mary has heard from an angel that she being a virgin would conceive supernaturally and will bear the Son of God. Such a thing has never happened before in history. But Mary believed God’s promise to her, and submitted herself to God’s will (verse 38), not caring about the scandal that this would cause, or the impact that it could have on her future marriage with Joseph. Elizabeth, who has been childess all her life had conceived miraculously, and was in her advanced months of pregnancy at the time of Mary’s visit. Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit prophetically told Mary that she was blessed because she believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her (Luke 1:45, NIV).

Application

The Christian walk is based on faith. We walk by faith and not by sight (2 Cor 5:7). Without faith, it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). What is faith? Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. (Hebrews 11:1). The key to answered prayer is faith. Jesus said that whatever we ask for in prayer, if we believe that we have received it, then it will be ours (Mark 11:24). Are we able to believe God, and take him at his Word? Like Mary, do we believe that His promises to us will never fail? If we do not believe his Word, then we are "limiting" God's work in our life. The Bible says that the children of Israel limited God (Psalms 78:41). God could not do what He wanted to do for them, because they did not believe. The Bible says that if we do not have faith, we should not expect to receive anything from God (James 1:7). Without faith, we are like waves on the beach, coming on to the shore in full force, and going back just as they came, not reaching anywhere (James 1:6). How do we increase our faith? Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. (Romans 10:17, KJV). We increase our faith by feeding on God's word, and hearing God's word regularly. 

Prayer

Father, I thank you for the measure of faith that you have given me (Romans:12:3). Help me to be like Mary, and believe that there will be a fulfilment of those things that you have promised me. Lord increase my faith (Luke 17:5). Help me to build myself up on the most holy faith that you have given me, praying in the Holy Spirit (Jude 1:20, KJV). May my life be a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to you. In Jesus’s name. Amen.

- Asha Chacko George