A Work in Progress….

Luke 7:2-3 There a centurion’s servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die. The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant.

The centurion, a Roman, believed in Jesus’s healing power and wanted that healing for his servant, whom he valued. However, he didn’t feel worthy to even ask for Jesus’s help. He also didn’t feel worthy to have Jesus under his roof. But he valued his servant so much and believed in Jesus’s healing power so much that he said, essentially, “Only say the word and my servant shall be healed.”

Luke 7:4-5 When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, “This man deserves to have you do this, because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue.”

There is much I can learn from the faith of the centurion. 1. I’m not worthy, yet Jesus’s healing power is available to me. All I have to do is ask. 2. My faith allows me to ask for healing for those I care about and allows others to ask for healing on my behalf. 3. There is incredible power in belief. The centurion’s faith in Jesus’s ability to heal allowed Jesus to heal. If there had been no faith, there could be no healing.

Luke 7:6 So Jesus went with them. He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: “Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof.

Precious Savior, Thank You for who You are and who You are to me. I know that Your strength is perfected in my weakness. It is astounding to me that my unbelief can inhibit Your ability to work in my life. I believe, Lord, help my unbelief. Amen.

Luke 7:7 That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed.

Have a blessed day.

Luke 6:31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.

Jealousy, anger, and bitterness are emotions I struggle with way more than I would like to admit. They are tied to my insecurities, which are many. And I think they are rooted in a scarcity mentality: If you get something good, that’s one less good thing that’s available for me. It’s a ridiculous mentality, but one I have to consciously fight against.

Luke 6:36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

Being aware of my tendency, being mindful of God’s grace and mercy towards me—unearned and undeserved—being mindful that I am to treat others as God treats me, even when that treatment is undeserved, especially then—these things are what help me to live a more open, loving, grace-full life. I am absolutely a work in progress, but I’m getting there, slowly but surely.

Luke 6:44 Each tree is recognized by its own fruit.

Precious Savior, Thank You for Your compassion and grace for me. I don’t deserve either. I can never be worthy of the love You lavish on me. And yet, You love me fiercely simply because I am Yours. Help me to concentrate on loving others with compassion and mercy as You love me. Amen.

Luke 6:45 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.

Have a blessed day.

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.”

Imagine the scene: Simon Peter washing his nets after a long night at sea with little to show for his efforts. This Rabbi, Jesus, gets in his boat and asks him to row off shore a bit so Jesus can instruct the masses, so he does. Once Jesus finishes teaching, He tells Simon Peter to head out to deep water and put out his nets.

Luke 5:5 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.”

I wonder if Simon Peter actually rolled his eyes or just internally did so. I’m sure he was thinking, “I’m the fisherman here. And I’ve been at it all night with no luck. But whatever…. If you say so….” And Simon Peter is rewarded big for following Jesus’s command.

Luke 5:6 When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break.

Lord, Forgive me when I approach You and Your guidance with the attitude of a petulant child. Forgive me when I huff and sigh and roll my eyes because I don’t see the value or importance in what You want me to do. Help me in my attitude towards situations and people whom I find difficult to love. Help me to bring You praise and glory in all things. Amen.

Luke 5:7 So 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.

Have a blessed day.

Luke 3:3 [John son of Zechariah] went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

Commentary says of John, “Simply said, John was weird.” I love this description more than I can express. I have a soft spot in my heart for weirdos and misfits, for those who never quite feel like they fit in. I understand that feeling on a gut level. And for the herald of the Lord to be a weirdo gives me hope for the ways Jesus can use me.

Luke 3:7 John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?

Here’s the thing: We often believe that fitting in is the goal. We want to be loved and accepted. And we often feel that if we are in the least quirky, fitting in isn’t possible, which means we are destined to live on the fringes forever. Again I say, to fully realize that the herald of the Lord is a weirdo, too, gives me such hope.

Luke 3:8 “Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.

Lord, Thank You that I am fearfully and wonderfully made. That You for the quirky, weird parts of myself that I often struggle to accept. Use me in Your service, Lord. Help me to shine Your light and bring You glory. Amen.

Luke 3:9 “The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”

Have a blessed day. I love you.

Luke 2:10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.”

I have read this passage myriad times in my life, but what jumps out at me because of verses 13 and 30 yesterday is the fact that, again, the first thing the angel said was, “Do not be afraid.”

Luke 2:16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.

Interestingly, the shepherds went to *see* before they spread the news. I wonder why doubting Thomas got such a bad rep for not believing until he saw. I wonder why the shepherds were not similarly chastised.

Luke 2:17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child….

Lord, Thank You for the reassurance not to be afraid. I need it more than I can adequately express. And thank You for the ability to ask, seek, knock, search. Thank You for showing up, for spending time with us when we make time for You. Help me always to make You a priority. Amen.

Luke 2:18 …and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.

Have a blessed day. Love you.