Acts 13-14

These 2 chapters are a fast moving account of Paul's first missionary journey. To get the big picture there are maps in my study bible, and it was cool to follow the map along with scripture.
I wonder how long the entire journy took them. I imagine the goal of the mission was to spread the gospel message to the Gentiles. Paul and Barnabas visited 7-8 different cities and each place had their unique stories and reactions to the teachings and to the them as well. Some were really receptive (Gentiles in Pisidian Antioch), while others divided (Iconium) or were quite harsh! (Lystra) It was interesting that they went back to the cities they just preached at to encourage/strengthen them to keep up their faith, instead of just heading back to Antioch where they set out from. The disicples in each city must have been so encouraged that they would take time to come back and support them further. When they finally come back to their home base in Antioch, they give a report of their completed journey of how God carried them through and used them to carry out the command in Acts 13:47, "I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth."

I think God also is speaking to us to be light in our mission field... to those around us in our every day lives (family, friends, co workers, strangers)...to share Jesus and His love in and through our actions and words. May we be reminded and encouraged to press on in living out our walk with Christ and to have that passion to be joyful and delight in Jesus.

Joy

Acts 9-10

The voice spoke to him a second time, "Do not call anything impure that God has made clean."

I remember reading a collection of stories found in a book called Second Chances where there are stories after stories about how successful people who made mistakes as teenagers (with the law) are given a second chance, even repeated chances to turn their lives around. They're given room to grow up, sometimes on their own.
Some examples are Olympic Gold Medallist Bob Beamon, poet Luis Rodriquez, and Columbia University Law Review editor Lawrence Wu. They all used to be gang members who had several incidents with the law before they got on the straight and narrow. Though some of their turnarounds came as a result of self-intropsection, they were allowed numerous opportunities to fail and ultimately succeed, without permanently staining their records.

In this passage, I don't think God is merely talking about being equals within the body of Christ, with Jew and Gentile. I believe it's also a command to not judge one another or cast each other aside when one messes up or does wrong. If God has made that person clean, through His grace and mercy that forgives all sin, we too must see the person as clean. And not only to forgive but to stand together with that brother or sister and struggle alongside of them until they "succeed". Even when they still struggle with their flesh and with their strongholds, as believers we must be a people of "second chances." Because all our own stories are about being given second chances. And that's what unites us all in this body of Christ.

Lord may I be a person of second chances, to always hold no wrong towards others and to also hold no wrong toward myself. Lord help me to grow in the knowledge of your mercy and grace. If anyone commits wrong to me today, may I forgive quickly and love compassionately. If I commit wrong today, may I quickly ask for forgiveness and have faith that you have made me clean.

Luke 21-22

Luke 22:39-46, focusing on verse 42:
"Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done."

In the beginning of that section, Jesus went to his usual place of solitude to the Mt. of Olives...the gospel of Mark says the location is the garden of Gethsemane (Mark 14:32). Reminds me of that familiar image of Jesus praying alone, looking up towards heaven. Knowing that Jesus always took time out of his busy ministry to have one on one with God challenges us to have that special time and place to be real with God and earnestly pray.

What did Jesus pray about? Jesus just had the last supper with his disciples and knew his time was coming very soon so he must have had a lot on his mind. He prayed verse 42. In other gospels, Jesus addressed God as Abba Father, which indicates a very close intimate relationship. Jesus emphasizes God's will be done...acknowledging God's purposes are higher than his and will prevail. Jesus requests probably with much emotion/sorrow that the cup of suffering he will have to endure of taking on the sins of this world/our sins be taken away from him. But Jesus ends with God's knows best and God's will be done...that whatever comes to pass would be OK with his soul. what a simple yet intense prayer.

To realize what Jesus went through right before going to the cross is eye opening...that he came to the Father in anguish and was real with God. May we come to God more often just as we are and have a one on one with God.

Joy

Luke 19-20

From time to time I question the afterlife and things like reincarnation and Luke 20: 34-38 brought back those questions. It's interesting how Jesus states that in death our souls are like the angels...immortal. We would also not claim any direct ties...family or friends but would just be.

I like how it states in 38

38 He is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive.

It gives such a positive light for the afterlife. Peace and love for all.

Luke 17-18

"Increase our faith!"
Isn't that what we say when we feel like there's nothing we can do and we think, "If only God, you would make it happen." But I wonder if sometimes we use that as an excuse to not do what God may already be showing us to do. We think we can't do it because in reality, it means it will be difficult for us and it might cost us something...and it might cost alot. But I think the faith God talks about here is a faith that is not just trusting God to make things happen but also acknowledging that God may want me to play a part in making those things happen. And my part may look undistinguished nor may anyone witness my part at all. It may require alot of sweat and tears...and it may require giving something I feel like I worked so hard for to something or someone that I think will be ungrateful. When we ask God to increase our faith, I think God challenges us to live out the faith that we already have.

Lord may I die more to my pride today as I do the things you are asking me to do, no matter how mundane, difficult, or humiliating.

"But Samuel replied:'Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.'"

Luke 13-14

What does this passage say about God's character?

He is holy and set apart - desires repentance from His followers. He will one day have to turn away people from His presence.
He is merciful - heals people even on the Sabbath. He values the humble and the poor.
He has high expectations - desires His followers to count the cost and hate everything else in life compared to Him.

What does this passage say about my life?

I've been thinking these past few weeks how small my life is. How most of my thoughts revolve around my life, my job, my friends, my church, my family, my future, me, me, me! I've felt like I've been missing out on what life is really about, and this passage has reminded me again, on how wonderful life can be when you live out a life consistent with God's mercy. I remember reading about a woman who had to break off her engagement, after she had set up the whole reception. She called off the wedding, but then invited all these homeless people to the reception. What a sight that must have been:)

My Commitment: either give to a food bank, or help serve food in a homeless shelter this month. Show kindness to someone who can never repay me...

Prayer:
Oh Father in Heaven,

I confess that I have not put you first above all other things. I have loved things of this world more than You, and valued these things more than the eternity You have promised me. Help me to be a woman after Your own heart, ready and willing to love those who are forgotten and ignored, ready to do things even when I'm supposed to be on "Sabbath", and having a heavenly perspective even as I take on these earthly responsibilities. Help me to remember Your holiness and Your worth. Help me and those around me to be like that mustard tree that grows and becomes a haven for those around us.

In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Luke 11-12

Reflected on Luke 11:33-"No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead he puts it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light."

Having trouble focusing, but here we go...

the first thing that came to mind was how important light is...what would we do without it? when I come home to my room, the first thing I do is to turn on the light to see where I am going. We need it to function most of the day!

From this passage, I am reminded that Jesus is often called the "light of the world". He lived out the gospel through teaching, preaching, and healing. He illuminated the eyes, hearts, minds of those who heard him speak the truth and continues to do so even now for us, bringing hope and healing to their and our broken lives.

So Jesus challenges us to be the light that illuminates the gospel/truth to those around us in our everyday lives. I often end up hiding or forgeting about what I just read that morning after having quiet time...it is tough to really give thought on how to put Christ's love into action and live out the gospel as Jesus amazingly did. Of course, we can't do this on our own strength so may be continue to ask God to enable or show us how to be living examples of Christ's light as we are guided by Scripture.

Luke 7-8

He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace."

Just as Jesus is finished teaching in the previous chapters about having love for our enemies and about not judging others, he shows us what that looks like in these following chapters. The centurion, a member of the Roman military, a widow, a woman whose sins are known publicly, the man with a legion of demons, a woman whose physical condition had made her an outcast for years, and a little girl...was it a mere coincidence that these stories were highlighted amongst the hundreds and hundreds of other miracles and healings that Jesus performed?
Jesus, the master Teacher, was continuing his lesson about unconditional love and grace that is lived out. "This is what it looks like to love your enemies, to not judge each other.." Jesus came to break the barriers, the lines we as humans like to draw amongst ourselves, placing each other in ranks and status. But all those that were mentioned in these healig miracles knew their place before Jesus....they knew they were not worthy of Him nor His healings, but they had faith in His power and grace to forgive and heal them. They HEARD Jesus' words and knew the message was for them.. Jesus for them was not only someone who could heal them physically but also someone who could reinstate their place in society as well as in the spiritual kingdom of God....Jesus calling the bleeding woman, who was a social outcast, an intimate title as "daughter", had huge significance. Before God's presence, we are all the widow, the man with many demons, the social outcast....and because of Jesus we are now called sons and daughters.

Now Lord teach me to "go in peace" with the knowledge of your grace upon my life and may I extend love and grace especially those who are considered "unloveable" as you have loved to me. As I look upon another human being's face, may I see them as your daughter and your son.

Luke 5-6

5Simon answered, "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets."
6When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. 7So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.
8When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus' knees and said, "Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!"
Then Jesus said to Simon, "Don't be afraid; from now on you will catch men." 11So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.

How can I begin to count the number of times I possess the same mentality as Simon Peter shows in this passage? Often, I'm just too tired, too expectant, too unable to take that leap of faith that Jesus assures me in scripture. In my prayers, it translates to, "God, I've just prayed about x thing for so long, I really don't think you can do anything about it, I don't know why you're not doing anything about it...etc." But how many times does God come out of the blue, it seems, and wows me and my peanut-sized brain by His faithfulness and love? Countlessly!

The notion of faith that translates into a human-contained realm (Simon Peter) and the approach of faith that translates into the divine realm (Jesus/God) are concepts that consistently amaze me. What I can consider miraculous, what I expect to be miraculous, is so infinitely insignificant to God's promise and walk of faith with me. And it's at those moments that I turn to God and say "go away from me, I've doubted yet again, sinned yet again, taken the easy/cheap way out, Lord, and it's embarrassing!"

I was surprised by Jesus' response here. "Don't be afraid", he says. Fear! That little word will always keep me from completely diving into a complete trust in the Lord. Why is it so hard to have faith, why is it so easy to have fear when the God we have is basically...the most powerful, all-knowing, all-moving entity in our universe and beyond? The weakness of the human mind and spirit will never cease to surprise me and frustrate me, as I wallow in my own fear and sinfulness.

What else can I say, but trust in the Lord always, and our lives will be good in Him.

LUKE 3-4

John's command to the crowd was to "Produce fruit in keeping with repentance." (vs 8). And that stuck out for me because there's not just God's action of sanctifying us continually, but there's our part where we actively try to produce that fruit. It's a dual action. And it's cool how John points out to the people who bank on "Oh, well I'm Abe's decendant so I'm all good" mentality and he rebukes them by saying that God can raise up children from these stones. So powerful! This shows that human lineage is nothing, and that these people were so narrowminded in just thinking that they were okay.

So two points that helps keep me in check: 1) produce fruit and just don't bank on God's sanctification in me; I must actively do something (e.g. share with those who have none (vs. 11)). 2) Know that I am chosen by His grace, and that the lineage is nothing. That it's by His grace that I'm saved, and not by means of being Abe's decendant.

Luke 1-2

I will focus on the intro: Luke 1:1-4.

1:1 Since many have undertaken to set down an orderly account of the events that have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as they were handed on to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word, 3 I too decided, after investigating everything carefully from the very first, F1 to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 so that you may know the truth concerning the things about which you have been instructed.

Wow, this is the last of the gospels that we will be studying. So the storytelling is pretty similar among the gospels with different variations/amount of detail...each have their own flavor. But Luke is an interesting author...seems pretty straightforward, organized, and detail oriented. The main thing I knew about Luke before I started reading was that he was a physician. But what is Luke's background and what compelled him to write another account of Jesus? And who is the recipient Theophilus?

Background on Luke:
from the intro before the readings (NIV study bible), I gathered that Luke is
-most likely a Gentile
-well versed in Greek culture
-loyal friend to Paul
-of course bright cause he became a physician

To try to break it down by verse:
verse 1: Luke humbly acknowledges the other authors of the gospels

verse 2: the research to write these accounts were "handed down" by tradition of retelling the stories from first hand eyewitnesses who were actually there in Jesus' time.

verse 3: so Luke felt led to do likewise in providing written account after he had done extensive research and double checking all his sources...his storytelling seems quite thorough!

Luke uses the term "most excellent" to describe Theophilus.
Who is Theophilus?
-His name literally means "one who loves God"
-the term "most excellent" suggests of high status/ranking
-so must be a very important person!

verse 4: so what compelled Luke?
my bible says..."so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught"...obviously of the truth/Jesus

so with Luke's account, although it may have similarities with the other gospels, it further re enforces or gives credibility to the life and ministry of Jesus. It helps us appreciate Luke's style or way of describing events which may differ amongst the gospels. It reminds us to not forget our foundation...that as with Theophilus, Luke is speaking to us as well that we may be certain/sure of what we have been taught, thus strengthening and confirming our faith in Christ once again as we go through this gospel.

Joy