61st Week, Advent Luke (Click on Title for a Video Introduction)

 

Click on the Blue Title 9th Week Advent Luke for Video Introduction

Monday, Luke Intro

 Luke

 Introduction

Jane Jones

THOUGHT

Luke is an exciting book to read just from the stand point that it is all about Jesus. I just love to read about Jesus, and I am continually enamored by His life and how He lived it, teaching and preaching about God's Spirit and the Savior of the World.

This book was written by Dr. Luke, the great physician. I think it is so awesome that a doctor is included in the writings about the birth of Jesus. Luke knew how babies were made. It would have been hard for him to believe the virgin birth and easy for him to leave that out of the book of Luke, but he did not. To this day Luke 2 is by far the most favorite of the Gospels' Christmas reading. Reports have it that Luke talked to Mary about the events he wrote about in the first two chapters. So Chapter 1-2 is Mary's story not a concocted story.

Awesome that even a great physician, a doctor, Luke, believed that God had the power to create a child in a womb of a virgin. That alone is what makes the book of Luke so unique to me. 

PRAYER

Thank You, Lord, for Luke and his life. How unique that You brought the true story of the birth of Jesus to us through the eyes of a great physician. As we start another book, we just lift up praise and glory to You that You are the glue that is keeping this family Bible Study together. I pray that You will work through me this week, so that I will say things that will open up our minds to receive the story about the life and times of "Jesus", the greatest story teller ever known. We love You for the huge part You play in each of our lives. AMEN

Tuesday, Luke Chapter 1

Luke 1

Verse 38

Jane Jones

 

Verse 38: "I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her.

THOUGHT

I really enjoyed reading Chapter One. The story of John the Baptist and the conception of the virgin birth with the appearance of the Angel Gabriel is the beginning of the beginning. Elizabeth and Mary were relatives, and they spent a great deal of time during their pregnancies with each other. How awesome it was that the Lord had these two women share in the joy of both giving birth to holy men, John the Baptist and Jesus.

What courage Mary had.  Mary had no idea at this time the tremendous opportunity she would have.  She knew that God was asking her to serve him. She was so willing to obey. She faced huge risks but stepped out in faith regardless of the scary journey she knew was ahead of her.  How many of us stand on that line and never step out because we don't know the bottom line, the end result?  Have you even thought what would have happened if Mary would have acted the direct opposite and not stepped out in faith?

PRAYER

Lord, we may feel that our ability, experience, or education makes us an unlikely candidate for God's service. WRONG!! We should not limit God's choices by doing that. With God nothing is impossible. Jesus, tonight with that one thought we will close along with the words on our lips, “We love You”. AMEN

Wednesday, Luke Chapter 2

Luke 2

Verse 52

Jane Jones

Verse 52:  "And Jesus grew in wisdom and statue and in favor with God and men."

THOUGHT

Jesus was God's chosen. Luke 2 shows us that even though Jesus was unique, He had as normal of a childhood and adolescence as He could. In developing, He went through the same progression we do. He grew physically and mentally, He related to other people, and He was loved by God because He was about His Father's business. I believe the uniqueness with Jesus was that He was so wise. He had wisdom and insight that surpassed His age.

A full human life is not unbalanced, and so it was important to Jesus. It should be important to all believers. We need to develop fully and harmoniously in all areas, physically, mentally, socially and spiritually. Jesus' spiritual life was so strong. Can you imagine being twelve, a young boy, leaving your parents for three days all by yourself, and visiting with adults about the teachings of the laws? He was truly led by the Holy Spirit. People listened to Him even at age twelve. He grew in favor with men and God. What a great thing for us to strive for as adults. May we grow in statue in our daily walk as well.

PRAYER

We love You, Jesus. By the life of Jesus we have learned today that we need to walk in faith and trust You no matter what our age. We thank You for giving Jesus to us for 33 years. We come boldly before Your throne of grace thanking and praising You for this day. AMEN

Luke 2 Comment

Tanya Ruden

I am not trying to "step on Janie's toes" regarding Luke, but I wanted to share a thought I had regarding today's reading. Luke is the only gospel of the Bible that tells the story of Jesus learning in the temple as a child. I was thinking about this. According to Janie's overview, Luke interviewed Mary and wrote many things from her perspective. I could see why he would have included this. This is probably the mother in me, but if a book reader were to ask me to share stories about Jesus' childhood, this would definitely stand out. Could you imagine losing the Son of God for 3 days?!! I can't imagine losing either of my children for that long, let alone God's Son who you were entrusted to raise. I can imagine Mary sharing this story and why it is significant for us to read.  Also because of the meaning of the future understanding of "God as the Father”, I just wanted to share my perspective!! Have a great day!

Thursday, Luke Chapter 3

 Luke 3

 Verses 21-22

 Jane Jones

 

Verses 21-22:  When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased."

THOUGHT

We know that baptism was a sign of repentance from sin, so we ask ourselves why did Jesus ask to be baptized? Jesus was perfect. Jesus was without sin. The application tells us there are several explanations. 

(1) Jesus' baptism was one step in fulfilling his earthly mission of identifying with our humanity and sin. 

(2) By endorsing the rite of baptism, Jesus was giving us an example to follow. 

(3) Jesus was announcing the beginning of his public ministry. 

(4) Jesus was being baptized for the sins of the nation.

I thought it was so awesome when God opened the heavens and descended upon Jesus in the form of a dove. The best was when God said, "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased." Can you imagine how Jesus must have felt by that statement? Don't we long to hear our Father and/or Mother say to us, "Well done. I love you. I am so pleased with you."  It was perfect!  It was the perfect thing to say to Jesus!  Can you imagine what a lift that must have been for Jesus! God's plan for salvation was centered on Jesus. Jesus was pleasing to God. May this be an example to us to live and do what will please our Heavenly Father so that He will tell us someday, "I am so pleased with you."

PRAYER

“A voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make   straight paths for Him. Every valley shall be filled in, the crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. AND ALL MANKIND WILL SEE GOD’S SALVATION.’” Praise be to God for sending us our friend, Jesus. We love You, Jesus. AMEN

MERRY CHRISTMAS - JESUS IS LOVE

Friday, Christmas Day, I John 4:7-21

I John 4

Verses 7-8; 19-21

Delores Little

Verses 7-8: “Beloved, let us love one another for love is of God; and everyone that loves is born of God, and knows God. He that loves not knows not God; for God is love." 

Verses 19-21:  "We love Him, because He first loved us. If a man says, “I love God.” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he that loves not his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? And this commandment we have from Him, that he who loves God loves his brother also." 

THOUGHT

This chapter is so full of the love God wants us to see and be. 

1. He loved us first and then we Him. 

2. We are to love one another if we are born of God. Now here is where the test comes in for all of us. It is easy to love people who believe like we do, but what about others who do not believe in God?  Well, we have to pray God will give us His love for them also. He will do it. Even in our own family we sometimes have trouble loving. God wants us to love them, or how can we say we love God if we don't love them. 

It boils down to the fact that we are not to look at what they are doing wrong, but ask God how He sees them and let us do the same. Just love them for where they are at and pray for them.

3. We are to be those LOVE LIGHTS OF GOD TO THE WORLD. Let us pick up the cross and do so by His grace and love and mercy. 

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, forgive us when we fall short of Your glory daily and teach us to be the loving people You want us to be to everyone. Open our eyes to Your ways not ours. Let us be those loving lights of Jesus. In Jesus Name. AMEN