Luke 6 / I'll be a fool for you!

Luke 6

10 He looked around at them all, and then said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He did so, and his hand was completely restored. 11 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law were furious and began to discuss with one another what they might do to Jesus.

* Isnt it crazy to think some people dont see the bigger picture. Here is a man who is healed! Someone's HAND totally grew, or changed - HEALED - right in front of their eyes. Yet, here are the Pharisees just angry at Jesus.  They let their hatred, their anger - all of it, blind them to the miracles & glory that was right in front of them.

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21 21 Blessed are you who hunger now,
    for you will be satisfied.
Blessed are you who weep now,
    for you will laugh.

* This just warms my heart.  Laughing is my favorite.  To know how many days life is so hard that its full of tears? I cling to the promises that laughter & joy will return.

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27 “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29 If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. 30 Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.


* One of the toughest things for me - for a lot of us - to really follow through with.  And when you do, it can even reflect back to you with negative comments.

For instance.... there is someone I know ....  She's completely changed into someone i don't recognize.  There's a touch of deceitfulness that comes from her, just unfriendly, just hard to be around... & yet, I try to still be kind to her. I try to always show the love of Jesus.  & its hard. SO HARD!!!! I dont want to. I want to tell her to get away from me. I want to tell her to act like we never knew each other. I dont want this person anywhere in my life.  ....BUT JESUS..... & yet, when I do try to be kind to her, I have even heard people tell me, She's using you - she'll deceive you again - she enjoys walking on you.  it sort of makes me a fool to be kind to her - but isn't that what we're called to do. Be a fool for the One who asks us to act differently than our human heart wants us to.

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35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

* Here we are again... same thought.  But this time, I see the personal side of it pointed to me. God is kind to the ungrateful & wicked. That's me. That's you.  Yet, he does the foolish thing of being merciful to us... so how can I not try to  be more merciful to others?

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37 “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

* This is such a heart topic for me. I have always said in my own life, I've made some really big mistakes in my life. & big mistakes can leave such a feeling of shame that I always say that I can never judge someone for what they do.

We live in a world where people make a mistake or a lapse in judgement - some things are bigger than words can encompass in mistakes too... but its not our job to judge anyone. & that seems to be the biggest struggle in a world where you can COMMENT on every situation or you can condemn in your mind when you hear of actions someone else did.  It's not our place.  It's not our job.  - & isnt that such a relief? I have enough things in my own life I need to work on - I dont HAVE to worry about anyone else's mistakes.  Goodness knows I've got enough of my own to focus on.

I will say, I will be the biggest "judge" when someone is dumb on a reality TV show though. Lord, help me & forgive me - LOL

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43 “No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. 44 Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. 45 A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.


* This is one of my favorite reminders in the Bible.  For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.   Some days, my mouth is full of hormones. PREACH.... but I really try to work on my heart being full of all the things God can fill it up with - peace, joy, love, goodness, gentleness... break out those Fruits of the Spirits!

But friends... get me in some traffic & my heart can also get filled up with some angry stuff....

In all that though, we see how easily the heart can empty & fill up again - of each thing, good or bad.

FILL ME UP LORD!!! FILL ME UP!!!

Luke - Chapter 5 / Friends, following & refresh the soul

Just a quick note... if you are reading Luke & wanted to follow along with my scatter brained notes & missed a day, you can always click the LUKE keyword at the very bottom of the post & it'll take you only to these posts. 

Luke 5

4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”5 Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”

* We always have excuses about why we dont want to do something.  I love that Simon goes ahead though. "But because you say so"... I get really good at dishing out the why I dont want to do things & need to adapt that sort of Simon thinking. BUT BECAUSE YOU SAY SO LORD!

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9 For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, 10 and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners.  Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” 11 So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.

* Fun Side note - I love just saying Zebedee... Ricky actually knows someone with that name - they call him "Zeb" ... just if anyone is looking for an usual baby name :)

* So this is the 4th time we see a reference to not having fear but this is the first time we see it from Jesus. It has been Angels before but love that this person, also a resident of Heaven, is sure to deliver the same message.

* Isnt that CRAZY?  Jesus says one quick thing & these men are like, OK, Yep - we're outta here. Let's leave EVERYTHING behind.  I cant even leave the house for longer than 9 hours because I have something always that needs attention there.  These men heard - & probably more importantly, FELT Jesus's words & was like, that's the direction I want my life to go - wherever He leads us.

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15 Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. 16 But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.

* I know we'll see this throughout scripture, but we already see that even though Jesus waited 30 years to start His ministry, He is already remembering the alone time - the quiet time.  You'd think he'd be ready to be swarmed by all the people & just want to do so much in the short time He would be remaining on the earth.  But the importance to STILL be alone & pray... even when others are wanting His attention, His healing.  

I just really value Jesus's example throughout the Gospels that shows if you dont take care of yourself &  your own spiritual health, your connection with God, then how can you fully give to help others?

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18 Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. 19 When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus.  20 When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.”

* So we just had a lesson on this in HSM & I could do probably 5 blog posts just from this awesome message we heard.  The power of friendship.  The passion to never give up on a friend.  But I love so much in this part of this story that Jesus heals this man because of the friend's faith.  

Dont ever think that your desire & heart for your loved ones dont matter to God. We can't do the saving, but we can do all we can to get them to the feet of Jesus & Jesus will reward.

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27 After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. “Follow me,” Jesus said to him, 28 and Levi got up, left everything and followed him.

*2 words... all it took for Levi to follow Jesus.

You cant tell me that there wasn't a presence about Jesus that was just over whelming. Something exuding off of Him.  Something that just spiritually moved the hearts around Him.

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29 Then Levi held a great banquet for Jesus at his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were eating with them. 30 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law who belonged to their sect complained to his disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?”  31 Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 32 I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

* So were the Pharisees at the same place Jesus was?  How did they find out about him "eating with tax collectors & sinners"? You'd have to think they were right there in the same place they were giving Jesus grieve for being at. So much irony.  Pointing fingers & accusing of things & never once realizing what they are doing.

* Jesus answer... one of the biggest things I think people forget about Christians.  None of us are healthy. We all struggle with sin... we all need a "doctor".  It hurts my heart to think how some people think they need to be "good" or get a sin under control before they can come to church, or even more so - to Jesus... when its the complete opposite.  I know I need my Great Physician every single day.

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33 They said to him, “John’s disciples often fast and pray, and so do the disciples of the Pharisees, but yours (Jesus)  go on eating and drinking.”

* So John the Baptist had disciples... the Pharisees has disciples... Jesus has disciples.  

Had to look up the definition of "disciple" .... a follower or student of a teacher, leader, or philosopher

We see that people are following someone who is delivering good news.

We see that people are following people teaching the wrong way of God.

& we see people that are following the One True Living God.

... who are you following today?

Luke 3 & 4 ... where we see Jesus is a BOSS... & demons are all around us?

I'm going to try & get on the same day now

... so doubling up from yesterday's reading & today's.

Luke 3

2 during the high-priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness.

* OK - I mentioned this before back in Luke 1... Here we are again with John in the wilderness.  & still my questions stick with me. Was he out there for years?  Because he's an adult now & finally the word of God comes.  Talk about being patient & waiting to hear God calling you - Whew!

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19 But when John rebuked Herod the tetrarch because of his marriage to Herodias, his brother’s wife, and all the other evil things he had done, 20 Herod added this to them all: He locked John up in prison.

* Gotta give it to John. He was preaching the truth, preparing that way for Jesus, dropping hints of truth on how to act when you really are a God follower ... & he didnt lighten the message to anyone - even the ones in charge.  There's something to be said for that. I think a lot of times, the truth of God's word gets softened because we dont want to offend someone in this highly touchy world we live in... its where we get preachers that only like to preach the "Good News" - the blessings form God - & not the other things - the hard things that we come against.  John gave no cares.  You in charge here? You're still sinning dude.

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21 When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened 22 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.”

* This whole thing. Can you even imagine?  Skies opening up??? Voices from heaven??? Seeing a dove-like form descending upon this man named Jesus?  ... this is Steven Spielberg stuff right here!

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23 Now Jesus himself was about thirty years old when he began his ministry.

* 30 years old when he BEGAN his ministry.  So 29 years that He knew who He was & sat back... waiting for the right moment.  The divine appointed time. Can you imagine how he waited for the time for him to finally share all He had built up inside of Him - the TRUTH of who He was? I wonder if He ever really acknowledged it throughout His lifetime, little comments or little miracles done. 

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38 the son of Enosh,

the son of Seth, the son of Adam,

the son of God.

* so yeah, we get a whole page of geneology - which CONFESSION - i always skip these things. I dont even care about my own family past 3 generations... but I do love that it all comes back to this.  Adam - the son of God. God at one end of this / Jesus at the other.  One in the same.  How cool is that?

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Luke 4

 2 where for forty days he was tempted[a] by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry.

* Dude... I can't make it over 4 hours...

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6 And he (the devil) said to him (Jesus), “I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. 7 If you worship me, it will all be yours.”

* Look at this sneaky liar.... That stupid devil has no authority & splendor that was given to him ... & yet, he's trying to sell it.  Trying to make promises he can't keep.  What is he selling you today?  What promises are you hearing that aren't from God?  He knows where to hit & what you'll be willing to bite at, so keep those guards up.

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13 When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.

* Always coming back, isn't he?  Waiting for the opportune time.  Man, I hate that devil.  We know he's prowling & waiting.  Watching for the best time to jump in & steer you off course. To shake that faith. To snatch away any hope.  To cause that unbelief to grow in your heart.  Take Jesus's example - use God's Word to fight him off... send him on his sneaky way. BYE DEVIL!

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28 All the people in the synagogue were furious when they heard this. 29 They got up, drove him out of the town, and took him to the brow of the hill on which the town was built, in order to throw him off the cliff. 30 But he walked right through the crowd and went on his way.

* Going back to what John did - TRUTH TELLER - Jesus infuriates people for putting a mirror up to their face & they get so furious with him. Mad enough to THROW HIM OFF A CLIFF? WHAT?  OK - anger issues much Nazareth? Geez....

But come on man - HOW STINKIN' COOL IS THAT ... Jesus just walks right through the crowd. & went on his way.  That is so funny to me. Cant be bothered with this nonsense. I'm outta here! I got important things to do.

Dont you wonder what the heck these people wondered?  Did he just sort of disappear?  Did He calm them down with His words?  How did it happen? ... However it worked, I just love it!

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38 Jesus left the synagogue and went to the home of Simon. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked Jesus to help her. 39 So he bent over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. She got up at once and began to wait on them.

* now that's some healing!  I get over a cold or sickness & it takes me a good week to recover to feel like myself to get back to cleaning the house or doing laundry.  This woman gets healed & turns into Martha Stewart!

I guess when you feel so bad & someone instantly makes you feel back to normal, you're going to do whatever you can to make them feel at home.

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40 At sunset, the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying his hands on each one, he healed them. 41 Moreover, demons came out of many people, shouting, “You are the Son of God!” But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew he was the Messiah.
* This sort of thing just freaks me out.  Demons coming out of many people - MANY!  MULTIPLE! Where they there for awhile?  Just like hanging out in these people?  That's terrifying!!!

But I love that Jesus has so much power over them, they weren't even allowed to speak!

Even cooler?  They knew who He was.  Here is Jesus - keeping their mouths shut, their voices quiet - they are FEELING the power of our Lord.  Shut on up ugly demons!

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42 At daybreak, Jesus went out to a solitary place. The people were looking for him and when they came to where he was, they tried to keep him from leaving them. 43 But he said, “I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.” 44 And he kept on preaching in the synagogues of Judea.

* & he kept on preaching.
Isn't it something how people wanted to keep him from leaving.  I mean, I get it. This guy is driving out sickness, getting the demons out of their town (EWW!!!) & he has to just be the Go-To guy to get everything done they wanted.

But didnt they want to share Him with others?  Let the next town get this same sort of joy & healing?  Nope. They wanted Him for themselves.  We are such a selfish people, aren't we?

But Jesus... he kept on....

& He keeps on preaching even today. AMEN!

So what did you see in yesterday & today's reading?

Luke - Chapter 2 / Peace & Hope

 Just for reference sake, I guess I should have mentioned yesterday that I'm using 

the NIV version

Luke - Chapter 2

4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 

*This always just makes my heart happy to see that God didn't forget Joseph in all this. It's Joseph's lineage that connects Jesus to the line of David like the prophecy's say.  How much honor is that for Joseph in a situation where he could feel so left out & not a part of this miraculous event.

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6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

* I'm sorry... but can you REALLY imagine this?  I know I would have lost my mind thinking, NOW?  I'm having this baby NOW?  & we have NO WHERE TO STAY?  I would have been a nightmare. Come on - admit you would too, right?  You so know there is more to this story.  Unless women were just really THAT submissive, which I'm sure is a possibility. 

But I guess you think about women & all they had to deal with during this time - having to live in a tent while they have their period, being claimed "unclean"... can we just take a moment & PRAISE THE LORD in the time we live in? ... All the women say AMEN!

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10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 

* Do not be afraid... we're up to 3!!!

* Great joy for ALL the people!  Did they grasp that ALL meant ALLLLL the people?

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17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.


* I think its so interesting how these shepherds go & tell everyone what they saw.... a sky full of "heavenly hosts of angels"... singing angels!  & a baby exactly where they said he would be - & wrapped  up exactly how they said he would be.  Can you imagine this in today's "Viral" days?  How fast it would spread?  & it still spread even then. 

But we see Mary ... BUT MARY... how calm she seemed to be in all of this glorious chaos.  She seems to just want to keep Jesus in her own care.  Her baby.  She probably saw this baby in her arms & thought of everything that the angel told her would happen 9 months previous. She had to think how Joseph looked at her when she told him the news.  How the town looked at her with a growing belly.  & here was this baby in her arms.  BUT MARY.... she took it all in. Soaked it up. Let her heart just fill up with love to see the face of God right before her.

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34 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, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

* I had to read this a few times & think, "THIS IS A BLESSING?"  I envision blessings in the Sleeping Beauty sort of way. "You shall have Beauty.  You shall have Grace".. .not This child is destined to call the falling of many.... That's not in any Disney film.  But its the truth, isn't it.  We dont like the truth when its harsh & scary & something that seems like a hard road ahead. 

My friend from work who is also doing this challenge - we had to talk about this part of the story... what it all meant.  & we got hooked on the last sentence "And a sword will pierce your own soul too"... As a mom, could you imagine Mary seeing everything Jesus had to go through at the cross?  Can you imagine sitting at his feet while he hung by his hands & feet & died a slow, painful deal.  I would think it would very much feel like her own soul was being pierced.  ... I'm sure we'll see this when we get down the road of Luke.

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36 There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and then was a widow until she was eighty-four.[e] She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.

* First of all - GIRL POWER!  A prophet that is a woman - YES!

Second - I love that it mentions her age. I mean, no one really wants to go down in history as the old gal, but isn't it encouraging to see that here is this widow & she was staying active. She never left the temple.  She stayed there & worshiped & prayed.  You have to imagine that people knew who she was & that they would talk to her, ask her for prayers, even pray along with her.  She made her life useful even in her passing years.  I love this.

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42 When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom

* This is going to be one of my first questions I have when I get to Heaven.... what happened in Jesus life growing up?  We skip all those "cute" years. Those first steps... those first words... those first carpenter wood items he made... What was his first solid food?  Did he cry when he scrapped his knee or just heal himself? I want answers.

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 43 After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it.

* The scripture every parent loves in the Bible #notalone #parentfail

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49 “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?”[f] 50 But they did not understand what he was saying to them.

* I never really understood how Mary & Joseph "did not understand what he was saying"... did they forget the whole virgin birth thing?  Did they forget who Jesus is?  Did they just get so used to him being with his siblings & living a normal life that they forget the power in this young pre-teen boy - which in that time, is nearly a man.  ... or did they not want to think about it? 

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Chapter 2 shows us the PEACE of a mother... the HOPE of two older people who was waiting on their coming Savior... the LIFE of a 'normal' boy, who is nothing but normal.

What did you find in Chapter 2 that stuck out to you?

Luke Chapter 1.... A Holy purpose doesnt mean an easy life

I am no Biblical scholar.  Heck, I had to make sure my spell check made sure I had the word "Scholar" spelled correctly.

When I saw something posted a few weeks ago though to read one chapter a day in Luke - since there are 24 chapters in the whole book, then we would have gone through Jesus's life & death & looked at the reason of why we celebrate this Holiday.  I was totally down for this!

If you know me, you also know I'm a big note taker - especially when I'm reading the Bible.  Thoughts come to mind. Questions. Things I observe.  ... so while I know this may not be posts that attractive everyone, that's OK.  Because I know there are some others who will also read the book of Luke with me & I hope they read my thoughts & notes & comment to me what they think.  Even if it's a "You totally dont get this girl" ... or a "I never thought of it like that"... & I'll even take a laugh if you feel such things for what I come up with.  The cool thing is, we're all just digging into God's Word. 

So today, you get the introduction of this... the next few days, we'll just jump right in... & some days, you may get one chapter of Luke, the other, you may get a few days of catch up - because let's face it, I still have a lot of usual blog posts & while some may get moved around, I still would like to post my 24 day journey.  & I'll try & post the scripture that I noted with the verse number at the beginning so you can check it out as well & I'll highlight it & underline what really stood out to me in this.  I'll also put it in bold so you can see the difference between the Scripture & my spacey thoughts.

.... so here we go... Welcome to Day 1.

LUKE CHAPTER 1

 6Both of them (Zechariah & his wife Elizabeth)  were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly

*I need to know more about this pair.  I need them to write a book on marriage!

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13 But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah;

* Here we go... the first time in this Book. When an angel says, "Do not be afraid".  I love that reference that when angels appear to people, they are typically afraid & the first words they say are "Do not fear"... can you even imagine what they look like - how powerful they must appear?

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15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born

* So we're talking about John the Baptist here... & I've never noticed this before.  Filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born.  We all have a decision to make when we are born & we live this life.  If we accept Jesus or not.  & when we accept Jesus, the Holy Spirit comes & dwells in our hearts, right?  This is Sunday School 101... so how interesting is it that John seemed to be born already believing & trusting in God - relying on Him before even learning the first words of any scroll.

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19 The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news.

* The "stand in the presence of God" just gives me chills.  Also, to know that God gives the orders to Gabriel to come deliver this news.  How special are you that God sends one of the beings that gets to spend his day just hanging out with the Big Guy!

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24 After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. 25 “The Lord has done this for me,” she said. “In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.

* I know this is a culture & period of time reference, but I always hate when it references how much of a "disgrace" it is when women couldnt bear children.  Seems like such a stab in my gut & I know so many others who suffer with infertility.  I also know this was a time when women were sold & redheads got more money (GO REDHEADS) but still... a little tough to always read.

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30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God

*2nd time - Do not be afraid. 

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31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”

*Jesus reign... for now into eternity. Never ending. Amen.

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37 For no word from God will ever fail.

* This is just so powerful to me.  NO WORD WILL EVER FAIL.  This whole book we read - this Bible - its all about God's word.  & we have this angel - this glorious being that hangs out with God all the time - who knows God personally - who knows the power & might of God - & he assures us - everything He says... it's gonna stand true.

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66 Everyone who heard this wondered about it, asking, “What then is this child going to be?” For the Lord’s hand was with him.

* I'm sorry - but this made me laugh.  How nosy are people that they are so curious to what a child will become.  Even now, we see babies being born & we think, "Oh they'll grow up & follow in their dad's footsteps" or we see babies born in horrible situations & we think "They'll never stand a chance"... how easily we prejudge situations & think we know how things will work out.

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80 And the child grew and became strong in spirit[d]; and he lived in the wilderness until he appeared publicly to Israel
* I need to know more here!  Did he live in the wilderness his whole life?  When he grew up?  Did his family go with him?  Was he all alone? & why???? Did he need to stay from religious leaders who may persuade his thinking?  Did he study the whole time?  Was he surrounded with angels?  ... I told you, I have so many questions here!

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Thought....
So I am feeling John the Baptist just reading Chapter 1 & am thinking ahead....this man is created to be a voice in the wilderness - to lead the way for Jesus to come in.... he was born with a purpose - a BIG purpose.  & I thought of how he died... #spoiler.... a horrible & horrific death with a head on a platter.  This is how his end works out?  After being created for such a Holy purpose on this earth.

We think so easily that being a follower of Christ means that we get an easy life here.  God is the one who can calm any seas - the one who can give & take away - the one who is to protect us.... but that doesn't mean He does.  You can devote your entire life to God's purpose... & still end up with your head on a platter.  Take the metaphorically please. (PLEASE LORD)... But I wonder what John the Baptist's reward was in Heaven. How he has spent his Eternity .... that's the focus.  That's the end purpose.

What stood out to you in Luke 1?

... Luke 2... here I come!