(Day 23) Luke 1 - 24

I'm back. No, I haven't really been gone. But the business of life has consumed me for the past week or so. It's funny,really, how not reading the scriptures has weighed so heavily on me. Almost like a bill that needs to be paid, or a stop that needs to be made. Any way, I am re-focused and back on track.

In Luke 1 v38 Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." I wonder what this news of becoming pregnant must have meant to Mary? These days it might not have been that big of a deal. But, during that time, an unmarried woman becoming pregnant? Not a good thing. But, Mary accepted it with complete faith and obedience to God. How much am I able to accept with complete faith and obedience?

In Luke 3 v9 John tells those that came to be baptized, "every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire". Again, the importance of "bearing fruit" is mentioned. I think this speaks to the saying that faith without works is dead. To me, it stresses the importance of trying to live everyday life in the way that Jesus would. When John is asked what shall we do? He tells them "He who has two coats, let him share with him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise". This sounds very familiar. This past Sunday, during the childrens sermon, Scott taught that Jesus said "whatever is done to the least of these, is also done to me." Yes Scott, I was paying attention! Again, if we are living our lives as Jesus did, we would be working daily to care for those who are in need. Whether it be a spiritual or physical need, we need to ask ourselves if we are doing all we can to help each other.

In Luke 4 v13 after Jesus had resisted every temptation from the devil it is written "and when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time." This tells me that the devil will always be waiting for a time when he can intervene and get me to give in to his temptation. Just because I am able to resist his temptations today, he will always be waiting for a more opportune time. This one, for me, is hard to swallow. So, your telling me that I will always have to be on guard? I'm strong today, but what about tomorrow, or next week, or even next year. I think that is why it is important for me to continue reading and studying the scriptures. This way I will always be mindful and aware that just as the devil is watching and waiting, so is God. As long as I keep that in mind I will be able to resist any temptation that is thrown my way.