November 3: Luke 23-24

Luke 23-24

The story of the criminal who asks Jesus to remember him is one of my favorites. It is proof that we can repent and be forgiven in God's kingdom. The Third Day song Thief is written from this man's perspective, and it is a powerful story.

Speaking of powerful, what about Luke 24:6 "He is not here; he has risen!"

Tomorrow: John 1-2

November 2: Luke 21-22

Luke 21-22

Jesus in Luke 21 is prophetic, not only to his disciples then but to his followers now. We are being persecuted. It is not 'cool' to be a believer. It is not popular to be called a Christian. But this is the cross that we bear. Of course, Christianity's ultimate goal is not to attain popularity or buzz, but the salvation of God's people through Jesus Christ. And that was never meant to be easy.

How do you think Peter felt emotionally when the rooster crowed for the third time?

Tomorrow: Luke 23-24

November 1: Luke 19-20

Luke 19-20

It's so cool to read the stories like in 20:20-26, when Jesus says, "Render unto Caesar what is Caesars . . . " because always the people who are trying to trap him become astonished and silent. Gotcha!

Tomorrow: Luke 21-22

October 31: Luke 17-18

Luke 17-18

17:33 "Whoever tries to keep his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it." Sometimes too often we rely on the familiar and comfortable. We have to give things up to get ultimate salvation.

Tomorrow: Luke 19-20

October 30: Luke 14-16

Luke 14-16

I never have really liked the parable of the prodigal son. This is something that I have a lot of trouble with. I understand the lost sheep and the lost coin, but I don't feel like the older brother in the story deserves to have his younger, defiant and lost brother in his face being showered with gifts and the fatted calf. Where is the celebration for the one who never strayed? I understand that if the older son were lost, he would be celebrated upon his return, however I think sometimes we don't appreciate what we do have because we worry about what we have lost.

Tomorrow: Luke 17-18

October 29: Luke 12-13

Luke 12-13

12:15 " . . . a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." It's sooo hard to remember that. Especially in these economic times, it's easy to put someone on a pedestal just because they have stuff. Or to get down on ourselves because we cannot get all the stuff we want.

Tomorrow: Luke 14-16

October 28: Luke 10-11

Luke 10-11

I did not know about the 72. It's also neat to see the Lord's Prayer in context, in Luke 11.

Tomorrow: Luke 12-13