Dec 6 = Luke 6

There is so much good guidance in here. But probably the most relevant to me is reminder that to be forgiven we must forgive. We have all been hurt by someone in our lives. That hurt can change who you are forever. The hardest thing in the world is to forgive someone who severely wronged you. You sure don't feel like forgiving them and sometimes you almost WANT to stay angry. But we also know that doing so is like drinking rat poison and hoping the other person dies.

What do we do? What does Jesus tell us to do? He tells us to forgive? But how? For me, the best I could do was during my daily prayers to say out loud I forgave those that severely hurt me. For quite a while it was through gritted teeth and my eyes may have actually been rolling while I said it. I sure didn't mean it. Slowly, it evolved. Today I do. I forgive them. It doesn't take away all of the hurt, it doesn't change what happened, and most importantly it doesn't make what happened "right" or "okay".

Who do you need to start working on forgiving? Please start the process today friends. I want your transgressions to also be forgiven.

Dec 5 = Luke 5

When Jesus tells him to put the nets out and Simon Peter replies "we've worked all night and didn't catch anything, but if you say so, we'll let down the nets" I can almost hear Simon's thoughts, which were more like "are you crazy, there's nothing there". You can even try saying those exact words said in a very sarcastic manner.

It is no wonder after the bounty came in Simon Peter fell at Jesus' knees claiming himself to be a sinful man. But Jesus obviously knew his heart and saw how completely enlightened Simon Peter was as he told him he would now be a fisher of men.

From the lyrics of one of my favorite bands on the same topic "If you're caught is to be free."

Dec 4 = Luke 4

No prophet is accepted in his hometown.

Oh man, isn't that the truth?! The people who are closest to you and know you the best are the least likely to believe in you at times.

We read in other books that there will be many false prophets. I don't know about you but I wonder if I would have the discernment to know the truth if Jesus came back to us tomorrow.

Dec 3 = Luke 3

30. Jesus was 30 when he began his ministry. We heard in Luke 2 of His eagerness to learn (listening and asking questions) at the temple. It took time for Jesus to mature into the plans God had prepared for Him - and He was the Messiah! Yet, we expect the rest of humanity to figure things out faster.

Drawing on thoughts inspired by the movie Dogma (don't laugh):
I bet there was periods as Jesus became to understand who He was that He had a hard time believing or accepting it (we all know He even wanted His inevitable end to be taken from Him).

It takes time to process things in life. It takes time to learn. It takes time to figure out what your calling is. It takes even longer to figure out how to follow that calling.

Dec 2 = Luke 2

Ah... the passage Linus reads in Charlie Brown Christmas.

Two things strike me: 1) if an angel appeared to me and told me to go somewhere, I can only imagine what I would think or feel. It would have to be beyond overwhelming.

2) When Jesus tells his parents "didn't you know I had to be in my father's house" and the passage says they didnt know what he was telling them... I am with them. I mean they knew he was the son of God. What meaning am I missing here? Had they forgotten who he really was in the fast paced daily life of raising a kid?

Dec 1 = Luke 1

Zechariah is muted for his disbelief, questioning, and... not listening. How are you neglecting to listen to God's messages to you?

Side point: Despite Zechariah's disbelief God made good on His plans and promises to him. He is not a man, that He should lie. Numbers 23:19 - A word spoken over me a few years ago!

Reading Luke

I have decided to also add entries here that depart a bit from my other posts.  Here to you'll also find some bible study/discussion activities that I've created.

Here in December I decided to take the 'challenge' to read a chapter of Luke for each day in December leading up to Christmas.