Day 2

Luke 2:33-35

33 And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed 35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

Question time---

1. The fact that Mary not only spontaneously became pregnant, but that she was carrying Jesus is absolutely insane to me. Mary, a completely normal person with faults and who's made mistake brought the Saviour into the world. Mary was just as normal as I am... so basically Mary bringing Jesus into the world is pretty much the equivalent of me bringing Jesus into the world. CRAZY RIGHT?! And then, not only does she have this baby, she has to take care of it and nurture it, and all that stuff. And, she had to deal with the persecution that all that entails. And, then she had to watch her own son willingly die for the world, and herself. I know there are a lot of Godly women in the Bible, women that have gone through multiple trials and over come them by asking God for help... but I don't really think any went through the same type of things as Mary. She is truly a woman following God's plan for her, even when it isn't all that conventional (i.e. her becoming pregnant with Jesus).

2. I never really realized before how much stress Jesus caused or brought upon his family. He did what he had to do, but it was still hard for his family. On the other hand it is interesting to see how God is able to keep Mary strong even when 'a sword pierces through her heart'. God is good all the time, even when we think whatever we are going through is terrible or completely unnecessary.

3. Ummm, maybe I'll get back to this one? I can't really think of anything about how this one can relate to my life. Maybe just that there will be hard things in your life, and you just have to accept it and try to overcome it with God's help.

4. Act with more compassion towards people, and pray for a heart and attitude more like Mary's.

Until tomorrow... hopefully it'll stay consistent.

-A

Day 1

So, I started a new devotional this week over the Gospel of Luke. It's only about a month long, but I've never personally read very extensively from Luke. But, I have a feeling I'm going to like it... simply because Luke is one of my favorite little boy names. :)

Tonight I read Luke 2:1-7 which, for those of you that can't pull this passage straight out of your head (ME), says...

2:1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when [1] Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, [2] who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

This new devotion has 4 different questions to guide me into reflecting on what I've read. So for tonight I'll try to answer them all.

1. What questions or thoughts does this raise in my mind?

2. What can I learn about the nature of Jesus, the Spirit, or the Father?

3. What can I learn about my own nature? How do I feel about that? How does my experience relate to this insight?

4. What do I need to act on, pray about, or apply in some way to my life?

Now for the answers-

1. It's always been easy for me to assume that Jesus' life was fairly easy. I always seem to over look all the persecution he faced on a daily basis. This passage helped me realize that even from a young age people persecuted him and his family simple because they wouldn't believe the truth. And while I'm sure it was difficult (after all, who like rumors?), it helped him with the persecution he would face later in life. It also amazes me how much he relied on his Father even during his younger years. How is it a 6 or 7 year old had enough discipline to not lash out at people spreading lies, or calling you vicious name? That is an excellent example of how awesome and mighty God is.

2. I think I already answered this one in the previous question - like about how God had a plan for Jesus (and us) and about how faithful Jesus was even as a young boy.

3.For myself, this helps me realize how God is truly there for me regardless of the situation. While I may think I am going through something alone, or that my issue isn't big enough for him to care (which is probably my biggest and most often 'sin'), I should know that God is what can get me through all this. And, while I can't just rely on seeing a 'sign' from him, he has placed godly people in my life whom I can get advice. I'm truly not in this world alone, and God has a plan for me even when I think he could care less.

4. As far as a life application, I guess I just need to realize that God is invested in my life too. Even though I probably won't make any significant contribution to this world, he has put me here for a reason. So I've got to be here from something... even if it is just teaching youngsters what 2x5 is.

Until next time... which will hopefully be tomorrow,

A