#Luke19 #Luke20 - Teacher of the Year

Click here to read Luke 19-20:

1. What stood out to me from this chapter?

These two chapters really display Jesus as an excellent teacher. Not only did he know his Bible, but he taught in such a way that carried not just knowledge but authority with his teaching. He commanded the respect of the teachers of the law, the Pharisees, the Sadducees, the disciples, and the crowds listening in. Even the teachers of the law complimented him with a, "Well said, teacher!" (v.39). Those who were trying to trap him in his words couldn't find anything wrong with what he said, so they just became silent. In some ways, these acknowledgements were like a unanimous vote for Jesus as "Teacher of the Year."

2. How does this relate to any other Scripture I know?

Even when the religious leaders tried to disguise themselves and catch Jesus in his words, they couldn't. Jesus saw through them right away. It reminds me a little of when the paralytic man was healed. The Pharisees were grumbling about Jesus having the power to heal and the authority to forgive sins. But he saw through them right away and called them out on it.

3. What does this mean for my life?

Don't get into a debate with Jesus...wait. :) One of the things I kept repeating to myself for this question, is that Luke 11-35 is a hard parable for me to understand. But the main thing I get out of it is that we're supposed to invest our lives for God's sake.

4. What questions do I have about this passage?

I really don't understand the parable of the Ten Minas. There are a lot of verses in this parable that just don't make sense to me. "God I need you to help me understand."

Those are my thoughts for this chapter. I'd love to hear yours. God's blessings to you and KEEP DIGGING IN!

In Christ,
Dan

image from http://hudsonpto.org/system/files/pictures/Teacher%20of%20the%20Year%20Logo.gif

#Luke15 #Luke16 #Luke17 #Luke18 - Powerful Parables Prior to the Passion

Click here to read Luke 15-18:

(Author's note: Sorry if you have been looking for a new blog in the last couple days. After an incredibly busy weekend leading a youth retreat, I am playing "catch-up and doing four chapters at once. I would much rather do the opposite, spending more time on less than a chapter, but I really do want to stick to my goal of a chapter a day. So these comments will come from this whole section.)

1. What stood out to me from this chapter?

Interestingly enough, the four chapters I happened to be forced to combine are probably the four most "parable-rich" chapters in Luke. So because it is not possible to discuss each parable, I want to comment specifically on the "lost" parables in chapter 15. If you just read the parables, you might miss the fact revealed in verse 1 and 2 that there are two very distinct audiences within hearing range of this story session. The first is a group of tax collectors and sinners. The second is a group of Pharisees and teachers of the law. The message comes out in the first two "lost" parables, but is perhaps embodied best in the the parable of the lost son. The story contains two sons and one loving father. The youngest son squanders everything and comes home to find a father who rejoices at his returning. The older son despises the younger son and the father's reaction to his return and hardens his heart despite the father's continuous blessing of the older son. The message is the same to both groups - "FATHER GOD IS THRILLED TO SEE HIS CHILDREN REPENT AND RETURN TO HIM." For the tax collectors and sinners, Jesus' message was to repent of their behaviors and follow him. To the Pharisees, Jesus' message was to repent of their attitudes and hard hearts and follow him. To me, Jesus' message is to repent of my own ways and follow him.

2. How does this relate to any other Scripture I know?

There were several times in these four chapters that made me think back to the beatitudes in Matthew 5. The parable of Lazarus made me think of "blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." Even though he wanted food every day, he was eventually filled with all the goodness of God. Jesus' teaching on forgiveness reminds of "blessed are those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy." When Jesus healed the leper's, the last word they would have used to describe themselves was pure, but they saw God and his healing power.  There were others too. Those were just a couple examples.

3. What does this mean for my life?

Out of all of these chapters there were many verses that inspired or encouraged me, but only one that cut me to the core. Luke 17:10 says, "So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.'" Jesus was very consistent throughout his ministry to model and emphasize serving others. In my life, God has used different people and passages to help root out the sin of pride in me. It was pretty deep, but I believe God has brought me a long way. But as I read this verse tonight, it acted like a final sieve to reveal some pride that exists. After you serve, after you work hard, after you pour yourself out for the sake of the kingdom of God, don't sit there and expect a big thank you from God. He doesn't owe you anything. Now, we know God listens to us and one day we can hear a "Well done." But in my life, in my ministry, I want to be so confident of God's work in me, that I don't need to ask for anything like that.

4. What questions do I have about this passage?

What message is Jesus trying to get across through the parable of the rich man and Lazarus? Is it a simple theme like, "Don't let worldly riches make you think you will be saved?" What does this parable reveal about heaven and hell? That they are forever separate with no cross-over? That there are no "second chances" That hell is continual torment? Or is this parable really about a simple message with nothing to do with the actual heaven and hell? Those are my questions.

Those are my thoughts for this chapter. I'd love to hear yours. God's blessings to you and KEEP DIGGING IN!

In Christ,
Dan

image from https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSm__LsLYaviKfOkLOK4QBrBF6fzR_ulpbOcuWfWb915V7ZLWDQ

#Luke14 - Party Protocol from Jesus

Click here to read Luke 14:

1. What stood out to me from this chapter?

Jesus doesn't shy away from social settings, even where he might be the target of questioning and cynicism among those who could be perceived of as "enemies". In Luke 14 we find Jesus again eating at a Pharisee's house. He notices that people are "jockeying" for the most honorable seats in the house. So he advises them not to assume that you deserve the highest seat of honor, or you might be humiliated by being asked to move down. Rather, assume the lower seats, so that you might be honored by being asked to move up. While this is legitimately good social advice for anyone, it penetrates to deeper levels of the heart. It drives us to Jesus's other teachings about how the last shall be first, and how he came to serve others.

2. How does this relate to any other Scripture I know?

As I read this chapter a phrase from Scripture kept running through my mind, but I couldn't think of where it was from. After a little searching, I found it in Romans 12:3. "Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought..." It appears in the context of how we are a part of the body of Christ, and each person has been given valuable gifts with which to serve others. So rather than assuming the higher positions of honor, we ought to humbly realize and bring out the value in others.

3. What does this mean for my life?

I was really struck by the words of Jesus in verses 12-14. He says we shouldn't do good deeds for others who will "repay" us with the same good deeds. Rather, we should really think about how to serve those who are not able to repay us, so that our reward can truly be repaid "at the resurrection of the righteous." I'm still wrestling with what that looks like in my life, but it really made me stop and ponder.

4. What questions do I have about this passage?

Why does Jesus use such strong language in describing what it costs to follow him? Does he really mean "hate" father and mother? I've always seen this as hyperbole (which is used by Jesus and others clearly in Scripture), where the meaning is something like, "Anyone whose family keeps them from following me should be willing to leave them for the sake of the gospel, even giving up their own life if that's where I lead you." Even my paraphrase seems strong, but I don't want to "water down" something if Jesus meant every bit of it. Hence the question. :)

Those are my thoughts for this chapter. I'd love to hear yours. God's blessings to you and KEEP DIGGING IN!

In Christ,
Dan

image from http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/02502/Cocktail-party-_2502341b.jpg

#Luke13 - Not a People Pleaser

Click here to read Luke 13:

1. What stood out to me from this chapter?

Wow, this was not the most popular day in Jesus ministry in terms of pleasing people. I'm sure there were some people who stopped following him on Twitter and unliked his Facebook page that day. :) There were some hard words and hard teachings for those with hard hearts. For those self-righteous people who thought that the people who were killed must have been pretty bad sinners, Jesus reminded them that anyone could be taken from this life at anytime. We all must repent and trust God, or we will perish - not just death on this earth, but for all eternity (as he explains later in the chapter). For those who berated him because he healed on the Sabbath he called out their hypocrisy in saying that they would serve their animals but not their brothers and sister. In the narrow door section he teaches that it's not people who on the outside have a casual, reputation-increasing nominal relationship with God who will be "in" on judgment day. And to close things off, he compassionately and sincerely agonizing over Jerusalem because of the continual rejection of God's word and God's prophets throughout history. This is not a way to start a large following, but that's one of the things I like about Jesus. He taught the true, hard teachings and stuck with God's heart and word over making people feel good about themselves. He would rather preach the truth about God and be killed than teach something people would simply like.

2. How does this relate to any other Scripture I know?

When I read about Jesus healing on the Sabbath, it reminded me of a couple times that Jesus did that. It wasn't popular in any of those other instances either. The one I thought of first was of the man who was blind from birth in John 9. This is one of the accounts that received the most "press coverage", so to speak, from the gospel writers. It is from this account John Newton penned his famous line in Amazing Grace "was blind but now I see." This line is an amazing witness to the others, because nobody can argue with that. They asked him if Jesus was the Messiah, and he answered (in Jesus-like fashion) with a truth that couldn't be argued with and implied that they knew the answer but didn't like it. :)

3. What does this mean for my life?

I know that as a witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ, I am to be winsome in my approach, so that I don't turn people away because of my own pride or self-righteousness. However, I know that if I teach and live out God's word, there will be people who will automatically reject what I have to say, no matter how loving my actions may be. Because I'm not Jesus, I will not stand in judgment over them, but rather with great patience continue to show them love and share the scripture with as much accuracy as possible. Following Jesus doesn't equal an increase of friends all the time. That wasn't part of the deal, and it becomes clear in a chapter like this.

4. What questions do I have about this passage?

What really is the meaning of the parables of the mustard seed and the yeast? They are seemingly two ways of teaching the same idea, but I don't quite get what the main point is? Is it within an individual that the kingdom of God will work itself through a whole process as it transforms them from the inside out? Is it in a community or the world that the kingdom of God will spread throughout the entire world? What are the birds that perch in the branches? I'm not totally clear on these.

Those are my thoughts for this chapter. I'd love to hear yours. God's blessings to you and KEEP DIGGING IN!

In Christ,
Dan

image from http://asktheadvisors.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/fb-unlike-symbol.png

#Luke12 - Don't Worry...Trust God

Click here to read Luke 12:

1. What stood out to me from this chapter?

Three times in this chapter Jesus tells the crowds not to worry about the things of this world like food, clothing, etc. If you count the number of times Jesus says do not be afraid that number gross. There seems to be a pattern in Scripture of being content with what you have and trusting God for the things you need. Many times in the gospels Jesus warns about the danger of loving money and seeking money as your highest aim in life. Even in the last chapter Jesus taught his disciples to pray the Lord's Prayer even in the last chapter Jesus taught his disciples to pray the Lord's Prayer. In it he says, "give us this day our daily bread." He doesn't say give us lots so that we can store it up and not have to worry about tomorrow. He leaves it at and give us what we need for today and implies that they should trust God tomorrow for their needs tomorrow.

2. How does this relate to any other Scripture I know?

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7 NIV) Paul teaches the same philosophy as Jesus, reminding us not to worry, but to ask God and trust that he will provide what we need. 

3. What does this mean for my life?

I was really struck about the section Jesus taught about being ready. We have no idea when Jesus will return, but we need to be ready. Practically speaking I believe this means that we need to be living our life in love and faith and obedience so that if Jesus returned at any moment he would find us faithful. The warnings in here are pretty serious about Jesus returning in finding us to be acting in an evil way or deserting the faith. 

4. What questions do I have about this passage?

One of the hardest passages in this chapter for me to understand is when Jesus talks about bringing division instead of peace. On the surface this seems contradictory to everything we think about Jesus. However the peace Jesus came to bring is a piece between people and God. If we were to follow all of Jesus's teachings we would find peace with one another, but it seems the division Jesus is talking about is division between people who will follow him and people who will reject him. Does that make sense?

Those are my thoughts for this chapter. I'd love to hear yours. God's blessings to you and KEEP DIGGING IN!

In Christ,
Dan

#Luke11 - Shameless Audacity

Click here to read Luke 11:

1. What stood out to me from this chapter?

Two words: shameless audacity. I have read this passage before, although it's been awhile. I always knew it was about prayer, but for some reason as I read it today it really hit me: GOD WANTS US TO BE BOLD IN ASKING FOR THINGS IN PRAYER! In three ways Jesus gets the point across that we can ask God in prayer for things. Please don't read this as saying that God is a genie and we get whatever we want. But if we need something, we should turn to God first. Jesus says, if you earthly fathers like to provide for your kids, and if your earthly friendships are strong enough to give to each other, just think about how much more God, our heavenly father, wants to provide for us and bless us. I think the last time I read this was before the NIV was updated, so I don't think the words "shameless audacity" appeared before. Yet those two words really struck me today.

2. How does this relate to any other Scripture I know?

In verses 29-32, Jesus declares that the only sign that will be given is the sign of Jonah. If you don't know the biblical account of Jonah, it's a short read (only 4 chapters in the whole book). He was in the belly of the whale for 3 days and then was spat out to witness to the sinful Ninevites. Jesus was in the tomb for three days, then rose and appeared to the disciples who witnessed to the world. But that's where the comparison ends for Jesus. He is saying that even though the Ninevites were sinful, they listened to God's word through Jonah and repented. He's saying that if the Jews don't listen to him and refuse to repent, they will be condemned in the final Judgment, while the repentant Ninevites will enter heaven. That should have been a huge wake-up call for the Jews, who put the Ninevites right up there with Sodom and Gomorrah in terms of sinfulness.

3. What does this mean for my life?

Next time I'm at a pastors house for supper, don't start proclaiming woes on them, or they might be insulted and try to kill you. :) Just kidding. Seriously, my personal application came from the first point I made about asking for things in prayer. I pray, but often catch myself wondering if God will do it, since it doesn't seem as "urgent" or "important" as many other needs in the world. But I need to ask more boldly for things I need: either in ministry, or family, or financially, or health. God can still say no, but he is still telling us to ask more often and more boldly.

4. What questions do I have about this passage?

I don't totally understand when Jesus teaches about the strong man. He describes a bit about what happens to demons when they leave a person, but how can a person prevent them from coming in again? It's possible Jesus was saying that God is more powerful than demons, and unless God is living inside of you, you're vulnerable again to demons. But it's still really confusing.

Those are my thoughts for this chapter. I'd love to hear yours. God's blessings to you and KEEP DIGGING IN!

In Christ,
Dan

image from http://www.atlanticag.com/uploads/3/9/4/9/3949245/4858616_orig.jpg

#Luke9 #Luke10 - Following Jesus

Click here to read Luke 9-10:

1. What stood out to me from this chapter?

Luke 9 and 10 talk a lot about the costs of discipleship and Jesus teaching the disciples. When I think of the word, discipleship, I think it could most simply be described as following Jesus. Not just literally walking around with human Jesus, but letting Jesus lead you in every facet of your life. Jesus talks about the cost of discipleship and that sometimes we are called to give up things we thought we would have or want, or do things that are out of our comfort zone. He tells us to give up ties to our worldly possessions and trust that God will provide for our needs. He encourages the disciples to pray for God to send workers into the harvest field. One of my favorite shirts I own has the words, "Following Jesus" on it, and I love the simplicity of it.

2. How does this relate to any other Scripture I know?

The last few verses of chapter 10 talk about Mary and Martha. In this instance, Mary is committed to being with Jesus, while Martha is distracted by the chores and preparations. So often, Martha gets sort of a bad reputation as being a busy-body. But there is another place where we see both Mary and Martha together. In John 11, Mary and Martha's brother Lazarus has just died, and in a conversation with Jesus, Martha is the first to declare that Jesus would receive whatever he asked of God. She stated her faith in the resurrection. And she declared that Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of God. So Martha really is a woman of incredible faith, despite a temptation towards being just plain busy.

3. What does this mean for my life?

The parable of the Good Samaritan really struck me as I read it this time. The question is asked of Jesus, "Who is my neighbor," hoping to narrow it down and love in the most minimal way. But Jesus "answers his question", I suppose, by saying that instead of figuring out who our neighbor is, we should instead invest our energy into being a good neighbor to others.

4. What questions do I have about this passage?

I wonder if James and John thought they could call down fire from heaven to destroy Samaria. It's ironic that even though they had a strong pull against the Samaritans, Jesus rebukes them and tells a parable where the Samaritan is  the hero.

Those are my thoughts for this chapter. I'd love to hear yours. God's blessings to you and KEEP DIGGING IN!

In Christ,
Dan

image from http://sowhatfaith.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/FollowJesus.jpg

#Luke8 - Brought to you by John Deere

Click here to read Luke 8:

1. What stood out to me from this chapter?

Sorry if you swear by another major dealer. Although Jesus probably wasn't promoting any one future farm equipment brand over another, Jesus did use farming quite a bit to teach about the kingdom of God. Although the herd of pigs was more an unfortunate side effect of the miracle, between that and sewing seeds this chapter sure feels a lot like the Midwest. One of the neat things about the parable of the sower is that Jesus explains it. We don't see that with too many of the parables. Jesus explains how when the word of God is shared, there are different reactions depending largely on the heart conditions of the recipients. If we don't allow the word of God to sink in and transform us, there's a danger that any so-called change might just be temporary and shallow. This is another great heart-check passage. Is my heart "fertile soil" to receive God's word.

2. How does this relate to any other Scripture I know?

There are a lot of connections, but since I started talking about farming, I thought of how Jesus compared the kingdom of God to farming in other places. In Matthew 13, another account of the Parable of the Sower, Jesus also tells the parable of the Weeds, which he also explained later in the chapter. In it he describes the end of the world as a harvest, and the angels as harvesters. Earlier in Matthew, Jesus tells the disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few."

3. What does this mean for my life?

I already mentioned the heart-check question about being fertile soil to receive God's word, but there was another interesting dichotomy in this chapter that really grabbed my attention. After the storm was calmed by Jesus, his words to them were, "Where is your faith?" Those were the 12 who were with him day in and day out. They doubted and were afraid. But to the woman who was healed by Jesus, he said, "Daughter, your faith has healed you." Sadly, I would say that most of the time I feel more like the disciples, with faith to follow Jesus through anything, but still doubting certain things along the way. How I long for God to grow my faith to be like the bleeding woman to just come to him for everything in faith.

4. What questions do I have about this passage?

This chapter reveals some crazy insights into demons and their interaction with Jesus. Mostly it just brings up questions in my mind. How does one get possessed by demons? Why don't we see it that much anymore, at least in our country? When the pigs died, where did the demons go? What is the Abyss and why didn't the demons want to go there?

Those are my thoughts for this chapter. I'd love to hear yours. God's blessings to you and KEEP DIGGING IN!

In Christ,
Dan

image from http://www.thepartyworks.com/ip/images20/206227/78157.jpg

#Luke7 - A Daunting Debt

Click here to read Luke 7:

1. What stood out to me from this chapter?

One of the things I noticed about this chapter is that it is bookended by two instances where Jesus commends and rewards people for their faith. To the centurion who recognized Jesus authority on earth, Jesus said that he hadn't seen anyone in all of Israel with such great faith! That is a bold, and probably a little offensive, statement. At the end of the chapter is this story where Jesus is dining at a Pharisee's house and a "sinful" woman comes up and anoints him. Jesus points out that it is her faith that has saved her. But just prior to that statement, Jesus teaches the Pharisee about the power and depth of forgiveness by sharing a brief parable describing a large and small debt. Both can be forgiven, but the one who is forgiven more will likely be more grateful and likely to pay it forward and express their thanks in worship. One of my spiritual breakthroughs was when God revealed to me that my debt of sin was much too large to ever think about repaying on my own. It really did create an attitude of gratitude and service. No matter what my testimony is, or how far astray I have gone, the debt accrued by our sin can only be fully paid by Jesus' death and resurrection!

2. How does this relate to any other Scripture I know?

Well, raising people from the dead wasn't an everyday occurrence. It happened with a prophet or two back in the day, but until Jesus came around it was quite out of the ordinary. There are two other instances of Jesus raising others from the dead. Lazarus in John 11, and Mark 5:21-43. All of them are fun to compare.

3. What does this mean for my life?

Hearing the centurion describe his own authority and then comparing it to Jesus was a great reminder to me that Jesus has all authority in heaven and earth (Matthew 28:18). I should not doubt that he is able to do anything. Nor should I doubt that he wants to hear us ask for things. Jesus CAN do it! I need to remember that.

4. What questions do I have about this passage?

I thought John the Baptist knew that Jesus was the Messiah for a long time. For one, he leaped in his mother's womb when Jesus (in utero) came by. Besides that, he was the one who baptized Jesus and saw the whole heavens being opened things. My question is, why did John feel like he had to ask if Jesus was the one?

Those are my thoughts for this chapter. I'd love to hear yours. God's blessings to you and KEEP DIGGING IN!

In Christ,
Dan

image from http://292fc373eb1b8428f75b-7f75e5eb51943043279413a54aaa858a.r38.cf3.rackcdn.com/business-comment_01_temp-1336029141-4fa22fd5-620x348.jpg

#Luke6 - Cut and Paste Bible

Click here to read Luke 6:

Copyright © 2011 The Zondervan Corporation

1. What stood out to me from this chapter? 

There are some hard teachings in this chapter: woes to the wealthy and well fed, loving your enemies, not judging others. There are two temptations I believe most people face when they encounter these more challenging teachings in the Bible. One is to simply cut them out, almost like you just literally take a scissors and snip out everything that doesn't make you feel good. This is incredibly dangerous, because the whole point of these teachings is to confront attitudes and behaviors that God desires to change in us. The other temptation is to take these tough words to the extreme. "Do not judge..." becomes "Never judge anyone else's behavior as wrong in any circumstance. Since we all sin, none of us can call out wrong behavior in anyone else." Well that message isn't consistent with the rest of Scripture either. That's more like pasting your own additions into Jesus's teachings. Even later he says, "First take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye." Remember, Jesus was often speaking to the Pharisees, who knew all the laws, but who had very hard hearts towards actually loving others. He had to be strong in his words. We have to be careful not to cut and paste our way around the Bible. So how do we approach these teachings? I'd simply say whenever we come across a passage in Scripture which is difficult or sounds harsh, we should take an honest look at ourselves and ask God to lovingly tell us if that is true for us. Then we can be open to God's transforming work in us.

2. How does this relate to any other Scripture I know?

Much of this chapter is just a different account of Jesus's teachings in the Sermon on the Mount from Matthew 5-7, so that's an obvious connection. But the last section about the wise and foolish builders really caught my attention. Although it does give practical construction advice, Jesus simply used that illustration to teach about the importance of not only listening to his words but putting them into practice. This reminds me a lot of the book of James. Especially in chapters 1 and 2 James convinces us that faith is more than just talk or adhering to a certain set of beliefs. True faith is evidenced by deeds.

3. What does this mean for my life?

Verse 12 of chapter 6 here says that Jesus spent the night praying to God. I don't think I have ever spent an entire night praying to God. In fact I can't remember the last time I devoted in the entire hour strictly to prayer. For Jesus this came right before his big sermon to the crowds. He knew he needed to connect with his heavenly father for strength and guidance and the power of the Holy Spirit. Even though I feel like I do pray fairly regularly and depend on God for strength, all this verse was very convicting for me to rely even more on the power of prayer and the goodness of our heavenly father to provide for everything we need.

4. What questions do I have about this passage?

In versus 20 through 26 Jesus gives a series of blessings and woes. In Matthew's version the woes aren't included, so it seemed easier to interpret the blessings. In Luke's version however, it seems that Jesus is saying that it is wrong to be wealthy or well fed or to laugh. I think that what he means is that it's wrong to be those things and neglect the needs of others around us. But my question is how are we really supposed to interpret this part of the chapter?

Those are my thoughts for this chapter. I'd love to hear yours. God's blessings to you and KEEP DIGGING IN!

In Christ,
Dan

image from http://www.reverendfun.com/?date=20010123

#Luke5 - Better Together

Click here to read Luke 5:

1. What stood out to me from this chapter?

As Jesus begins his ministry on earth, he starts out with some shocking strategies. First, he calls together a group of disciples, men who were overlooked, rejected, or all that interested in the first place in following a Rabbi. It's not like Jesus picked the "Dream Team" from the religious Sanhedrin Counsel or anything. Besides that, he spent time with the crowds, teaching, preaching and healing. He even sat at the dinner table with tax collectors and "sinners". Even though these ministry strategies may not have come from the latest "Church Leadership" Best-Selling novel, Jesus was giving off the vibes that real community, despite shortcomings was vital in the kingdom of God. In a sense, we are better together than we could ever have dreamed of being on our own. We can lift each other up, support each other, encourage each other, correct each other, learn from each other, and more. But we need each other, and Christ modeled this with his life.

2. How does this relate to any other Scripture I know?

The opening section of this chapter is about the calling of the first four disciples. The gospel of Matthew, chapter 4, also gives an account of this occurrence, but gives far less detail. In some ways, I always found it hard to believe that without any previous conversation or encounter, the four of them would "immediately" leave everything to follow him with the words "Come, follow me." Luke's account does not contradict Matthew's account, but rather gives it a little more clarity and detail to the situation surrounding the calling of Peter, Andrew, James, and John,

3. What does this mean for my life?

While reading this, I had an unusual pull that drew me to the response of the paralyzed man after Jesus healed him. If it were me, I'd want to stay and learn from Jesus. But the man went home right away. At first it seems like he might be ungrateful or shy, but we can see that Jesus's own orders to him were to pick up his mat and go some. So what did the paralyzed man do? He picked up his mat and went home. I want to be in a place where I can seek Jesus and listen to him. When I hear him, I hope I have the same obedience as the disciples and this man.

4. What questions do I have about this passage?

I don't really understand Jesus's teaching about the wineskins in verses 33-39. I get the fasting and bridegroom part. But I can't tell which Jesus would prefer in the wineskin passage. Is he saying that the Pharisees are like the old wineskins who don't want to accept his new teaching? I just don't quite understand this.

Those are my thoughts for this chapter. I'd love to hear yours. God's blessings to you and KEEP DIGGING IN!

In Christ,
Dan

image from http://biblelessonsite.org/flash/images71/slides/p_0007.jpg

#Luke4 - Extra! Extra! Read All About It!

Click here to read Luke 4:

1. What stood out to me from this chapter?

Multiple times in this chapter, Jesus says that he has come to "proclaim the good news." Although he wasn't the one standing on the street corner shouting it out like a newsboy, it was spoken with the same idea. "I've got news to share, and it's good! Freedom for the prisoners, good news to the poor, the year of the Lord's favor, and the kingdom of God." In a sense, when Jesus read the scroll in the synagogue and said that the words in the Scripture were about him, he was basically announcing, "This is it. Listen to me." In a sense, that's what God said at his transfiguration, "This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him." But as soon as Jesus began to speak a word that was even slightly negative about the people in the congregation, they tried to chase him out of town and get rid of him. Apparently, even good news can be offensive if received with the wrong attitude. :)

2. How does this relate to any other Scripture I know?

The account of Jesus being tempted helps me to see that Jesus was human. He was tempted, just like I am. The difference is that he was totally reliant on the Scriptures and the Spirit of God within him to resist temptation. This is exactly what the writer of Hebrews wanted us to know about Jesus, our new high priest. "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin." - Hebrews 4:15 I also thought about the verse in James 4:7, "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." That is exactly what Jesus did, and that is exactly what Satan did.  These connections are really cool, because it helps me to believe that these verses can be for me too. It's not like Jesus is superman repelling bullets. He is fully human and resisting temptation in the same way we CAN resist temptation when we face it daily.

3. What does this mean for my life?

When Jesus began to quote Scripture, he started with "The Spirit of the Lord is on me..." The Holy Spirit that he received at his baptism also came upon the apostles at Pentecost, and also lives inside each believer in a mysterious way that unites, equips, and empowers us to be his hands and feet in the world. I need to constantly remember that living a life that honors God is less about "trying hard" and more about listening and surrendering to the movements and guidance of the Holy Spirit within me.

4. What questions do I have about this passage?

How could the crowds so quickly move from being amazed at his teaching to furious rage that caused them to want to throw him off a cliff? If someone speaks with great authority from Scripture, and then points out something in my life that needs to conform to Scripture, I'd like to think I would be pretty open to hearing that instead of wanting to throw that person off a cliff.

Those are my thoughts for this chapter. I'd love to hear yours. God's blessings to you and KEEP DIGGING IN!

In Christ,
Dan

image from http://inbound.anchorstl.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Extra-Extra-Read-All-About-It.jpg

#Luke3 - Repentance: A Dying Art

Click here to read Luke 3:

1. What stood out to me from this chapter?

Almost all of the non-genealogy text in this chapter is about John the Baptist. Specifically, it describes his ministry, which centered on a message of repentance. His baptism was a symbol of being washed of a previous pattern of behaviors, and committing to honor God with every area of life. In essence, repentance is the art of dying to our sinful ways, and living instead in God's ways. Repentance is not a popular message - just take a quick poll of preachers and you'll find that out. It's not fun telling people they need to change their ways. It's nobody's desire to have their "flaws and shortcomings" pointed out by anyone. Nobody WANTS to hear a message of repentance, but the reality is everyone NEEDS to hear it at some point. One of my observations of the current spiritual climate in our culture is that the message of "REPENTANCE" is being replaced with the message of "TOLERANCE" and "ACCEPTANCE." I believe these things are not mutually exclusive and are both critical to helping people become a part of the body of Christ. However, without hearing "repent", what comes across is something like, "You're okay. I'm okay. We're all okay. As long as we don't start talking about what God expects of us and how we're falling short, we'll all be just fine." God wants us to come as we are, but as long as we're following him, he wants to change us and conform us to become more and more like him.

2. How does this relate to any other Scripture I know?

Repentance implies both a change of heart/mind and a change in behavior. If there is no behavior change, there likely is no real heart change. And if there is no heart change, it's likely that any behavior change will last. Throughout Scripture, repentance is arguably THE key step in avoiding God's judgment and wrath, and entering into his blessing and life. Just listen to some of the prophets speaking to Israel in the following passages:

"The Redeemer will come to Zion, to those in Jacob who repent of their sins," - Isaiah 59:20
"This is what the LORD says: 'If you repent, I will restore you that you may serve me" - Jeremiah 15:19
"Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall" - Ezekiel 18:30
"For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent and live!" - Ezekiel 18:32

A powerful story about repentance is that of Hezekiah, king of Judah. He had major pride issues, but he repented and received the favor of the Lord. His story is found in 2 Chronicles 32.

3. What does this mean for my life?

One of the points in my spiritual life that I grew the most in one experience was when a good friend of mine had the courage to call me to repent of some pride issues. He had nothing to gain personally, and he did it in love. So instead of getting defensive or justifying my behavior, I received his words and repented. From that point I hope that I have been open to receiving correction and quick to repent of sinful behavior. It's also really interesting to me that John's words to the people are not blanket sweeps of general sins. That would have been easier. But he calls each group of people to integrity within their own lives. He told the tax collectors not to collect more than what was required (which they had a reputation of doing). He told the soldiers not to extort money and accuse people falsely. To the crowds he talked about caring for the poor. To the husbands he might have said, "Stay faithful to your wives and don't lust after other women." To the pastors he might have said, "Don't let the dreams of wealth or numbers for your congregations turn you away from sharing the unaltered truth from my word." It's not hard to understand. We can probably all describe the most common pitfalls of our own jobs and family situations, and we all know our own pitfalls as well. John's message (and God's message) is repent of those sinful patterns and follow me and my ways.

4. What questions do I have about this passage?

When Jesus was baptized, what did that whole seen look like with heaven being opened and the Spirit descending like a dove on him? Did all the others notice it too? Why wouldn't they all know right away that was the Messiah?

Those are my thoughts for this chapter. I'd love to hear yours. God's blessings to you and KEEP DIGGING IN!

In Christ,
Dan

image from http://frlouis.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/repent.jpg

#Luke2 - Unlikely Messengers

Click here to read Luke 2:

1. What stood out to me from this chapter?

Throughout the Bible, God uses some really unlikely people to deliver his messages and spread the news about his activity. From a worldly perspective, we would expect God to use important people of high class and high education. That's not who God chooses. God chooses shepherds. Shepherding was, for the most part, a blue-collar, dirty job for lower class citizens. The fact that shepherds were the first people to go out and tell about the birth of Jesus is astounding. Later in the story we see Simeon and Anna, a devout old man and a widow, to share some prophetic words about the baby Jesus. Finally, we see Jesus himself, as a twelve-year-old boy, sharing the message of God with the teachers. So God used the poor, widowed, and children to declare his message in this coming of the Messiah. That is very interesting.

2. How does this relate to any other Scripture I know?

It is an interesting connection, but Bethlehem is the City of David. David started out as a shepherd, tending his father's sheep (see 1 Samuel 16). Here in Luke 2, we see that God chooses to make his first public service announcement about the birth of his son to shepherds on the hillside. Jesus, who is the promised king in the line of David, will be the good shepherd over the people of Israel.

3. What does this mean for my life?

If God can use unlikely people like elderly, children, and poor, there is hope that he can even speak a word of truth through me. It also really challenges me to not rule people out, but to listen to all people as though God might be trying to say something to me through them.

4. What questions do I have about this passage?

Simeon was told by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before seeing the Messiah. How many people were aware of this? How many people did he tell? How many believed him? How many people were either present or heard of Simeon's encounter with Jesus? Wouldn't you think there would have been a group of followers from then on?

Those are my thoughts for this chapter. I'd love to hear yours. God's blessings to you and KEEP DIGGING IN!

In Christ,
Dan

image from http://mormonwoman.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/angels-shepherds-nativity.jpg

#Luke1 - A Careful Investigation...

Click here to read Luke 1:

1. What stood out to me from this chapter?

I really love how this chapter, and book, starts out. Luke is obviously an educated person, desiring to "set the record straight" on this Jesus thing. He wants to know facts. He wants to know details. He wants to write an orderly account so that others will have a logical, "objective" picture of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. He sets out on a careful investigation of EVERYTHING. Later in Scripture we find out Luke was a doctor, a highly educated person, so it was likely from this introduction and the type of Greek language he wrote with that he was writing primarily to a highly educated upper-class Greek-cultured audience. Matthew was written for a Jewish audience, and Mark was written for the common person. It's neat to discover that there aren't just three of the same gospels, but rather they are written for different audiences.

2. How does this passage relate to any other Scripture I know?

I would have loved to hear Zechariah's song, whether it had melody or whether it was more like spoken poetry. But the words are recorded here, and they make it clear that Zechariah (like most Jewish men) were very familiar with the Scriptures (our Old Testament). Many of his "lyrics" are thoughts, stories, or prophecies straight from Scripture. Here are just a few. Verse 78 is taken right from Isaiah 9:2, and the last part reminds me of Psalm 118:105 (your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path). Other verses harken back to the Exodus speaking of God as redeemer, while still others speak of promises made to David and Abraham. It's really neat to see that he didn't have to use an online Bible search tool to find those verses. Rather those passages were right on his heart and quick to come out.

3. What does this mean for my life?

Mary's response to the promise and command of God astounds me. "I am the Lord's servant...May your word to me be fulfilled." What a powerful statement of trust, obedience, and submission to God's will and plan. She didn't know what was going to happen, and what she could imagine might happen was likely not positive. But she still said, "I am your servant." I know Jesus was too young at that point to understand her words, but it's like he learned that attitude from her when he prayed in the garden, "not my will but yours be done." It is an encouragement to me to know that when I don't know what else to pray, I can simply pray, "I am the Lord's servant...may your word to me be fulfilled."

4. What questions do I have about this chapter?

This is kind of a funny thought, but when the angel Gabriel told Mary that she would give birth to a Son, and that he would be the Son of the Most High, rule on the throne of David, reign over Jacob's descendants forever, and the his kingdom will never end, it was like she didn't question any of it but wondered physically how she would have a baby. It's kind of like someone saying to me, "Dan, you are going to purchase a candy bar that contains a ticket for a one-way ride to the moon, where you will meet Elvis Presley, and sing songs forever!" And then me responding, "But how can this be since I left my wallet at home?" Like I don't question at all what's going to happen, but just how I'm supposed to buy a candy bar when my wallet is at home. I guess it does just show her faith that with God all things are possible.

Those are my thoughts. I'd love to hear yours. God's blessings and KEEP DIGGING IN!

In Christ,
Dan

image from http://morristowngreen.com/files/2014/09/Detective-with-magnifying-glass.jpg

#Mark16 - Magnificent Sunrise

Click here to read Mark 16:

Apparently having another child takes time and energy. After 3 weeks I am finally remembering just how much. So I've missed a couple days of reading. I'm not going to let that stop me or deter me in any way from striving for a chapter a day. To capture the spirit of Dori from Finding Nemo, "Just keep digging!"

1. What stood out to me from this chapter?

Both chapter 15 and chapter 16 ironically start out "very early" in the morning on their respective days. When I think of very early, I have memories of waking up to see the sunrise. Now that I have kids I'm up almost everyday for the sunrise, and everyday it nearly takes my breath away. It's so beautiful, and it is different everyday. When the sun comes up, it chases the dark away and brings hope for a brand new day. When Jesus, Son of God, rose from the dead, he also sent the disciples to be the light of the world bringing the hope of the gospel message where they went. So whenever I see the sun rise, I remember the Son rising.

2. How does this relate to any other Scripture I know?

The resurrection account is also found in every other Gospel in the last chapter. But what caught my attention was this brief mention of how Jesus appeared to two of them while they were on the road. I'm sure this is referring in short about the "Road to Emmaus" story found in Luke 24.

3. What does this mean for my life?

For me, this chapter was just a really good chance to quiet my mind and be reminded of the good news of the gospel. This basic message that Christ has died, Christ is risen, and Christ will come again never gets old, and it is good to be reminded of.

4. What questions do I have about this passage?

It says that Mark 16:9-20 doesn't appear in some of the earliest manuscripts and dead sea scrolls. So I want to know why it doesn't.

Those are my thoughts for the day, I'd love to hear yours. KEEP DIGGING IN!

In Christ,
Dan

photo taken by Dan Antoine

#Mark15 - It's To Die For!!!

Click here to read Mark 15:

In this chapter describing the trial, mocking, and death of Jesus, the story speaks for itself. I have a few quick thoughts. Hebrews 12:2 says, "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of God." It took me awhile to figure out what joy would possibly drive him to endure what we see in Mark 15. It could be the glory of the resurrection and the thought of rising back into heaven, but I think the joy is something different. I think the joy is us. I believe the thought of you and me being able to be forgiven of our sins and truly restored in a relationship with our heavenly father is the joy that was set before Jesus.

So the famous line from The Lion King that made the title of today's blog begs the question, "What is to die for?" or rather "Who is to die for?" For God, the answer was obviously the possibility that we could be in a relationship with him. We were worth dying for to God. Is God worth dying for to us? Or even more importantly, is God worth living for to us?

A sobering Scripture passage for the day. Those are my thoughts. I'd love to hear yours. God's blessings to you, and KEEP DIGGING IN!

In Christ,
Dan

image from http://flickfeast.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/lion-king-scar_l.jpg

#Mark14 - Lavishly Loving and Notably Naked

Click here to read Mark 14:

1. What stood out to you from this chapter?

I suppose the title of this blog sounds like some scandalous romance novel, but I assure you it has nothing to do with romantic love. In fact, the title describes two separate incidents in this chapter - one inspiring and the other just plain funny. The first is the incident of the woman pouring a jar of expensive perfume on Jesus. In a normal setting, this would be seen as excessive and wasteful (which some of the disciples, clarified as Judas in other gospels were quick to point out). But this lavish and "over-the-top" expression of love for Jesus was not wasted at all. In fact, Jesus commended it. It's funny how Jesus pointed out the faith of a Gentile as being greater than any he had seen in all Israel, and how it is this "wasteful" act of a woman that Jesus says will be remembered whenever his story is told. The second part of the title happens when the disciples flee. Mark is a brief gospel and doesn't include a lot of the details that Matthew and Luke do, so it is funny that he takes the time to make note of this one disciple that was not wearing much to begin with and then had to flee away naked. :)

2. How does this passage relate to any other Scripture I know?

In the garden, as Jesus is praying, his words reflect an incredible surrender of his life to God's will. He wasn't afraid to ask God to make a different way, but in the end he submitted to God's will and plan, knowing it was the best. In James 4, we receive similar instructions even about making plans for tomorrow. "Now listen, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.' Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, 'If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.'"

3. What does this mean for my life?

I often feel like Peter, quick to speak of loyalty and faithfulness (which are true) but prone to temptation when it comes to choosing the right thing. It is so easy to give in to the "little" temptations, the things that don't really hurt anyone: pirating music or movies, speeding, viewing inappropriate movies or websites, crude humor or swearing. It is really easy to deny God in those moments, even after we have just participated in a great worship service or Bible study. For me, it's even more reason to keep my guard up against temptation, and to rest in God's mercy and forgiveness when I do fall.

4. What questions do I have about this chapter?

What role did Judas play in this whole scenario? In some ways it seems like he is almost a "pawn" of God's plan. Since prophesy had to be fulfilled, someone had to betray Jesus. In other ways he seems like he is a pawn of Satan's plan (Luke 22:3 and John 13:27 both tell us that "Satan entered Judas"). It wasn't like Judas was at a seance with devil worshippers inviting him in. But ultimately it is still clear that Judas was the one whose heart was hard and chose to betray Jesus.

Those are my thoughts for the day. I'd love to hear yours. God's blessings to you, and KEEP DIGGING IN.

In Christ,
Dan

image from http://www.biblecartoons.co.uk/images/image.php?image=215.jpg&width=525&height=378 

#Mark13 - No One Knows, But Everyone Will

Click here to read Mark 13:

1. What stood out to me from this passage?

In this chapter Jesus speaks of some signs of the end of the age. The disciples ask a very important question: "When will these things happen?" With a lot more detail Jesus replies with an answer very similar to this. "Nobody knows when I'm coming back. Not even me. If you have to ask if it's me returning, it's not me returning.  When I return, everyone will know. There will be no mistaking it. I'll be the one riding on the clouds with great power and glory when you hear the thunder and loud trumpet blasts." :)

2. How does this passage relate to any other Scripture I know?

Because the second coming will be swift and totally unexpected, Jesus teaches us that we are all supposed to be alert. Be ready. This kind of language reminds me of another Scripture verse in 1 Corinthians 16:13, "Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. " It also makes me think of the armor of God passage in Ephesians 6, where we are also told to be alert, stand form, and be ready.

3. What does this mean for my life?

When Jesus asked Peter James and John to pray for him in the Garden of Gethsemane, they each fell asleep. Jesus wasn't furious, just mostly disappointed. But I don't want to be like those disciples any more. I don't want to fall asleep and let down my guard in pursuing Christ.

4. What questions do I have about this chapter?

I have a lot of questions about the end times, but that's okay. My biggest question is will this happen before you come back, Jesus?


Those are my thoughts for the day. I'd love to hear yours. God bless

In Christ,
Dan

image from http://adventbirmingham.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/clouds.jpg

#Mark12 - Tax Season For Jesus Too

Click here to read Mark 12:

1. What stood out to me from this chapter?

Two different parts of this chapter deal specifically with money. The first is about paying taxes. The Jews hated the Romans and the oppression brought on by empire. Even though they enjoyed some religious freedoms, they still had hopes that the Messiah would come and rescue them from the Romans and their other enemies. So when the leaders ask this question about taxes, they are either hoping that Jesus will say, "Yes, you should pay taxes to Caesar," at which point he would lose favor with the people, or "Give your money to God instead of Caesar," at which point the Roman guards would arrest him and deal with him as an insurrectionist trying to rebel against the Emperor. The answer Jesus gives is not just a way to dodge a tough situation. Instead he addresses it very truthfully, biblically, and practically that nobody could argue.

2. How does this passage relate to any other Scripture I know?

The parable of the tenants has always been striking to me ever since I understood the meaning of it all. The political leaders, religious leaders and teachers of the law are the tenants that God has placed on earth to "take care of the church." And the prophets are the messengers he has sent. But almost none of the prophets were taken seriously, and many were beaten, mocked, and or hanged. When that "didn't work" he sent his Son. But just like they mistreated the prophets, they mistreated the Son too. This reminds me of Hebrews 1:1-2, "In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son..."

3. What does this mean for my life?

I am humbled when I read the story of the Widow's Offering. It is so special. I just picture Jesus hanging out, seeing what he saw, and jumping to get his disciples, "Look! Look! Come see this!" Jesus was not resentful or negative about all the other gifts, but he recognized that though the others were giving large sums of money, the woman's offering was the largest. I need to remember that I should be giving not just what is easily planned, but regular offerings with some of it being sacrificial in some way.

4. What questions do I have about this passage?

Does Jesus negate the possibility of recognizing loved ones in heaven? I don't think so, but he is definitely saying that things will be different and we won't have need for formal marriage relationships then.

Those are my thoughts. I'd love to hear yours. Until then, keep digging in.

In Christ,
Dan

image from http://i2.cdn.turner.com/money/2012/04/26/markets/h-and-r-block-stock/hr-block.gi.top.jpg