Today we are reading Luke 9. In this chapter we read about Jesus sending out the Twelve. ”And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal. And he said to them, “Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not have two tunics. And whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart. And wherever they do not receive you, when you leave that town shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them.” And they departed and went through the villages, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere.“
‭‭Luke‬ ‭9‬:‭1‬-‭6‬ ‭ESV‬‬ This was a dramatic development for the disciples—to go from being students to being teachers. This was the whole point of discipleship—to go and make disciples. Have you made the transition from being students to being teachers? How many disciples have you made? Where do you find the most students to teach? May you be fruitful and multiply spiritually! Pastor Tim

Today we are reading Luke 8. In this chapter we read about the Parable of the Sower. “And when his disciples asked him what this parable meant, he said, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God, but for others they are in parables, so that ‘seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.’ Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of testing fall away. And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience.“ ‭‭Luke‬ ‭8‬:‭9‬-‭15‬ ‭ESV‬‬ Jesus used this story to describe the way that people react to the Gospel. What kind of soil are you? Has there been a time or two when you were the thorny soil? What kind of crop have you produced? What does this crop represent? Keep spreading the seed! Pastor Tim

Today we are reading Luke 7. In this chapter we read about the disciples of John coming to Jesus with a question. ”The disciples of John reported all these things to him. And John, calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to the Lord, saying, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” And when the men had come to him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to you, saying, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?’” In that hour he healed many people of diseases and plagues and evil spirits, and on many who were blind he bestowed sight. And he answered them, “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”“ ‭‭Luke‬ ‭7‬:‭18‬-‭23‬ ‭ESV‬‬ John’s disciples had their doubts because Jesus didn’t seem to match their expectations for a messiah. What about you? Does Jesus always match what you expect from a Savior? It is good for us to check our doubts and ask God to help us understand. Keep asking questions and listen to His answers! Pastor Tim

Today we are reading Luke 6. In this chapter we read about Jesus choosing His disciples. ”In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God. And when day came, he called his disciples and chose from them twelve, whom he named apostles: Simon, whom he named Peter, and Andrew his brother, and James and John, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon who was called the Zealot, and Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor. And he came down with them and stood on a level place, with a great crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem and the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear him and to be healed of their diseases. And those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured. And all the crowd sought to touch him, for power came out from him and healed them all.“ ‭‭Luke‬ ‭6‬:‭12‬-‭19‬ ‭ESV‬‬ If you were to set out on a critically important mission, who would you choose among your family and friends to go with you? Anything successful that I have been part of depended heavily on the team we had. How have you experienced a great team? Jesus selected His disciples/friends/apostles and they have been recorded in Scripture for 2,000 years. We are also part of His team. What part has He given you to perform? May you do your best to follow where He leads. Pastor Tim

Today we are reading Luke 5. In this chapter we read about the great catch of fish that Peter made. ”On one occasion, while the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret, and he saw two boats by the lake, but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, he asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the people from the boat. And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.” And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking. They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish that they had taken, and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him.“ Luke‬ ‭5‬:‭1‬-‭11‬ ‭ESV‬‬ Think of your work. What amazing thing could happen in your workplace that would lead you and everyone to conclude that Jesus is Lord?! In this story Jesus is speaking into Peter’s world of fishing. He had never heard of or seen a miraculous catch of fish like this. Jesus gave Peter his own personal miracle! May God do the same for you! Pastor Tim

Today we are reading Luke 4. In this chapter we read about the early ministry of Jesus. ”And he went down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee. And he was teaching them on the Sabbath, and they were astonished at his teaching, for his word possessed authority. And in the synagogue there was a man who had the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out with a loud voice, “Ha! What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God.” But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent and come out of him!” And when the demon had thrown him down in their midst, he came out of him, having done him no harm. And they were all amazed and said to one another, “What is this word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out!” And reports about him went out into every place in the surrounding region.“
‭‭Luke‬ ‭4‬:‭31‬-‭37‬ ‭ESV‬‬ It seems that Jesus encountered demons routinely. Do you feel they are less common or that we are less aware of their presence? What struggles that you encounter could be demonic? How can you take authority over the demons and rebuke them? May you see the mighty power of Jesus in you and call upon the name of Jesus in every time of need. Pastor Tim

Today we are reading Luke 3. In this chapter we read about the ministry of John. ”He said therefore to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruits in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”“ Luke‬ ‭3‬:‭7‬-‭9‬ ‭ESV‬‬ John’s message is true but very harsh. Why do you think he preached that way? Who needs to hear the message of John? How are you like John? May God give you the Holy Spirit to make you a powerful witness for Jesus! Pastor Tim

Today we are reading Luke 2. In this chapter we read about the birth of Jesus. ”And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 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.“
‭‭Luke‬ ‭2‬:‭6‬-‭7‬ ‭ESV‬‬ Luke’s account of Jesus birth skips over a lot of details. Why do you think the account is so superficial? What does Luke emphasize instead? What is missing? How do Luke’s emphases inform our own celebration of Jesus’ birth? What do you emphasize at Christmas time? May God help you keep the main thing, the main thing! Pastor Tim

Today we are reading Luke 1. In this chapter we are reading about the birth of John the Baptist. ”Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. And her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. And on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child. And they would have called him Zechariah after his father, but his mother answered, “No; he shall be called John.” And they said to her, “None of your relatives is called by this name.” And they made signs to his father, inquiring what he wanted him to be called. And he asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And they all wondered. And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, blessing God. And fear came on all their neighbors. And all these things were talked about through all the hill country of Judea, and all who heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, “What then will this child be?” For the hand of the Lord was with him.“ ‭‭Luke‬ ‭1‬:‭57‬-‭66‬ ‭ESV‬‬ The birth of John the Baptist was surrounded by amazing events. Gabriel appeared to Zechariah. Elizabeth became pregnant in her old age. John was filled with the Holy Spirit in his mother’s womb. Mary visited Elizabeth. Everyone in the family were spiritually very strong. Why such a big deal about John? What do these details tell you about Jesus? How do you have a job similar to John the Baptist? May God use you in a mighty way to prepare the way for Jesus! Pastor Tim