Take aways that I am seeing and hearing in Luke 4:
1. Hear God speak His word, allowing it to penetrate into the depths of my inner being. The devil has a word too, but I must discern God’s voice. Luke 4:1-12
2. Live into His calling and anointing. It’s His calling. It’s His anointing. He directs. He supplies. Luke 4:18-30
3. Feel the conviction of His compelling call to tell people about the great news that He is king. Luke 4:42-44.
I was struck by “the word of God came to John … in the wilderness …. Proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.” (Luke 3:2-3).
The Greek word for “word” is “rhema” which often has to do with the spoken word out of someone’s mouth. Jesus, when tempted, replies to the devil after the first temptation in Matthew’s gospel – “Humans don’t live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4).” “Word” there is “rhema” as well.
Romans 10:17 speaks the same thing – “faith comes out of hearing and hearing through the Word (rhema) of Christ.”
So, there’s the written Word – the Bible. But God wants us to hear the Word that He is speaking into our hearts from that written Word. That’s why I invite you before the message each Sunday to pray, “Speak Lord. Your servants are listening (1 Samuel 3:9).” It’s this Word that God wants to speak into the depth of our being that we must tune into.
So, ask Jesus – “What word are you speaking to me today?” We all need to hear this word. Jesus will speak it to us if we will slow down, calm ourselves, remove the rush, and say to Him, Okay, I’m ready. Speak Lord. Your servant is listening.
2 passages jump out at me in luke 2.
1. Luke 2:25-35
2. Luke 2:41-51
First in the Simeon passage, I was struck that the Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he would see “the Christ of the Lord (Luke 2:26).” This came down from the Lord’s spoken word to him (Luke 2:29). I am struck by the spiritual depth and perception of hearing God speak to Simeon. It encourages me to ask Jesus and hear Jesus speak to my soul.
Another thing I notice is that salvation is a person. It’s not just a concept or action. It’s not just something that happens to us, like when we say, “I am saved,” or “I received salvation.” It’s Jesus, himself (Luke 2:30). Simeon had discerned this from the Scriptures and the Holy Spirit.
In the second passage, I was struck by the language in the Greek of Luke 2:49. The word “house” is not in the Greek text, but inserted by most translators because of the context of where Jesus is (Luke 2:46). He’s in the temple.
2:49 could be translated, “And He said to them, Why is it that you were looking for me? Did you not know that in the things of my Father, it is necessary for me to be?
So, even here Jesus is doing His Father’s business. Luke is showing us Jesus’ slight correction of his mother when He makes the distinction about his Father. Mary says “Your father and I have been looking for you (Luke 2:48).” Jesus responds, “Didn’t you know that it is necessary for me to be engaged in my Father’s interests and business?” (Luke 2:49). Mary refers to Joseph. Jesus refers to His Eternal, Heavenly Father.
It reminds me too, to be about my Father’s business today. Help me, Jesus.
A lot jumped out at me in Luke 1.
Luke 1:19 in “The Bible For Everyone” says the angel Gabriel responded to Zechariah’s doubt and unbelief this way: “Look here,’ replied the angel, ‘I’m Gabriel. I stand in God’s presence. I was sent to speak to you and give you this splendid news.”
It could be translated with these nuances from the Greek, “I, I am Gabriel (In the Greek text, the “I, I am” has a heavy emphasis, so it is emphatic), the one who has been and continues to stand in God’s presence, in front of Him, and I have been sent out to speak to you and tell you these things.”
“The Bible for Everyone,” which I quote above, tries to get at this emphatic response from Gabriel by translating it, “Look here … I am Gabriel….”
It dawned on me that these events that are about to transpire regarding Jesus’ birth, are coming about through supernatural means. Angels are a part of God’s supernatural army, constantly in His presence, working at His command. We don’t often see angels, but that doesn’t mean they are not around, doing God’s work. Revelation 4 brings to remembrance the angels worshipping around God’s throne and Hebrews 1:14 speaks about angels are ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation. So, angels, God’s ministering spirits, those who stand in God’s presence are around me today, working behind the scenes to advance Christ’s kingdom.
I’m reminded as well of Psalm 27:4 about seeking God’s face and His presence. So, help me Jesus to seek and live in your presence today, knowing there is a supernatural army around me and others who are seeking to advance your Kingship.
Take aways that I am seeing and hearing in Luke 4:
1. Hear God speak His word, allowing it to penetrate into the depths of my inner being. The devil has a word too, but I must discern God’s voice. Luke 4:1-12
2. Live into His calling and anointing. It’s His calling. It’s His anointing. He directs. He supplies. Luke 4:18-30
3. Feel the conviction of His compelling call to tell people about the great news that He is king. Luke 4:42-44.
I was struck by “the word of God came to John … in the wilderness …. Proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.” (Luke 3:2-3).
The Greek word for “word” is “rhema” which often has to do with the spoken word out of someone’s mouth. Jesus, when tempted, replies to the devil after the first temptation in Matthew’s gospel – “Humans don’t live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4).” “Word” there is “rhema” as well.
Romans 10:17 speaks the same thing – “faith comes out of hearing and hearing through the Word (rhema) of Christ.”
So, there’s the written Word – the Bible. But God wants us to hear the Word that He is speaking into our hearts from that written Word. That’s why I invite you before the message each Sunday to pray, “Speak Lord. Your servants are listening (1 Samuel 3:9).” It’s this Word that God wants to speak into the depth of our being that we must tune into.
So, ask Jesus – “What word are you speaking to me today?” We all need to hear this word. Jesus will speak it to us if we will slow down, calm ourselves, remove the rush, and say to Him, Okay, I’m ready. Speak Lord. Your servant is listening.
The Word of God came to me today.
2 passages jump out at me in luke 2.
1. Luke 2:25-35
2. Luke 2:41-51
First in the Simeon passage, I was struck that the Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he would see “the Christ of the Lord (Luke 2:26).” This came down from the Lord’s spoken word to him (Luke 2:29). I am struck by the spiritual depth and perception of hearing God speak to Simeon. It encourages me to ask Jesus and hear Jesus speak to my soul.
Another thing I notice is that salvation is a person. It’s not just a concept or action. It’s not just something that happens to us, like when we say, “I am saved,” or “I received salvation.” It’s Jesus, himself (Luke 2:30). Simeon had discerned this from the Scriptures and the Holy Spirit.
In the second passage, I was struck by the language in the Greek of Luke 2:49. The word “house” is not in the Greek text, but inserted by most translators because of the context of where Jesus is (Luke 2:46). He’s in the temple.
2:49 could be translated, “And He said to them, Why is it that you were looking for me? Did you not know that in the things of my Father, it is necessary for me to be?
So, even here Jesus is doing His Father’s business. Luke is showing us Jesus’ slight correction of his mother when He makes the distinction about his Father. Mary says “Your father and I have been looking for you (Luke 2:48).” Jesus responds, “Didn’t you know that it is necessary for me to be engaged in my Father’s interests and business?” (Luke 2:49). Mary refers to Joseph. Jesus refers to His Eternal, Heavenly Father.
It reminds me too, to be about my Father’s business today. Help me, Jesus.
A lot jumped out at me in Luke 1.
Luke 1:19 in “The Bible For Everyone” says the angel Gabriel responded to Zechariah’s doubt and unbelief this way: “Look here,’ replied the angel, ‘I’m Gabriel. I stand in God’s presence. I was sent to speak to you and give you this splendid news.”
It could be translated with these nuances from the Greek, “I, I am Gabriel (In the Greek text, the “I, I am” has a heavy emphasis, so it is emphatic), the one who has been and continues to stand in God’s presence, in front of Him, and I have been sent out to speak to you and tell you these things.”
“The Bible for Everyone,” which I quote above, tries to get at this emphatic response from Gabriel by translating it, “Look here … I am Gabriel….”
It dawned on me that these events that are about to transpire regarding Jesus’ birth, are coming about through supernatural means. Angels are a part of God’s supernatural army, constantly in His presence, working at His command. We don’t often see angels, but that doesn’t mean they are not around, doing God’s work. Revelation 4 brings to remembrance the angels worshipping around God’s throne and Hebrews 1:14 speaks about angels are ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation. So, angels, God’s ministering spirits, those who stand in God’s presence are around me today, working behind the scenes to advance Christ’s kingdom.
I’m reminded as well of Psalm 27:4 about seeking God’s face and His presence. So, help me Jesus to seek and live in your presence today, knowing there is a supernatural army around me and others who are seeking to advance your Kingship.