Chapter 2 Verses 1-7
In these verses, Luke tells us some historical figures that were important during the time of the birth of Jesus. Luke also tells us that there was no room for Joseph and Mary in the inn, so he was placed in a manger. Chapter 2 Verses 8-20 In these verses, Luke tells us about the shepherds that received word of the birth of Jesus from an angel. These shepherds were the first to see the baby Jesus other than Joseph and Mary. Also, they saw the baby Jesus while he was still in the manger. They spread the word about Jesus, and glorified and praised God for what they were told and saw. Chapter 2 Verses 21-40 In verse twenty-one, Luke tells us that Joseph named Jesus at the time he was circumcised, like the angel told him to. Joseph and Mary also followed the law in having Jesus consecrated in Jerusalem once the time of purification was completed. God blessed two people while Joseph and Mary took Jesus to the temple. The first was Simeon who wasn’t going to die before seeing the Messiah. God kept his promise and Simeon held Jesus and praised God for keeping his promise. Simeon blessed Joseph and Mary. The second was a prophetess named Anna. She was over ninety years old. When she saw Jesus, she gave thanks to God and told about the redemption of Jerusalem. Chapter 2 Verses 41-52 In these verses it tells about a twelve-year-old Jesus staying in Jerusalem after the Feast of the Passover. Verse fifty-two says that Jesus grew in wisdom, stature, and in favor with God and men. How are we looking to and listening to God during this holiday season?
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Chapter 2 Verses 1-12
These verses show that God revealed the birth of his son to Gentiles from the east. Jesus was born to save all mankind, not just the Jews, from their sin. Although King Herod was king at the time of the birth of Jesus, he didn’t know the scriptures well enough to recognize the sign the wise men saw about the birth of Jesus. Was King Herod’s lack of knowledge about the birth of Jesus the reason he was disturbed? The wise men worshipped Jesus inside a house. He wasn’t in the stable anymore. The wise men followed the warning they received in a dream and didn’t go back to King Herod. Just like Joseph before the birth of Jesus, God spoke to the wise men in dreams. Chapter 2 Verses 13-18 Joseph once again followed the instructions he was given in a dream. He took Mary and Jesus to Egypt to live until King Herod died. King Herod had all the boys aged 2 and under living in and around Bethlehem killed. He tried to stop what was prophesized in the Old Testament, but he couldn’t. Kings can’t stop God’s plan. Chapter 2 Verses 19-23 These verses show Joseph’s obedience to God. God spoke to him in dreams and he obeyed. He didn’t leave Egypt until God told him it was safe. He didn’t move to the place he used to live, because God told him it wasn’t safe. How does God speak to us today? Are we obeying what God tells us? Do we know the scriptures that talk about the return of Jesus? Are we paying attention to the signs of his return like the wise men paid attention to the signs of his birth? Chapter 1 Verses 1-17
These verses show us the family tree of Jesus from Abraham to Joseph, the husband of Mary. When we look at the different people included in God’s plan to send his son to Earth, notice the women listed. Three of the women were mistreated by men but were honored by God and listed in the genealogy of Jesus. God included women that were Gentiles in the genealogy of Jesus. It gives a picture of God’s love for all mankind. Even though Jesus wasn’t a Gentile, his life would benefit Gentiles that believed in him. This reflects how God benefitted the Gentile women who believed in him. God cares about women and men. He created them both in his image and both are important in his plan for mankind. There were forty-two generations of people from Abraham to Jesus. Many centuries passed between the two. Numerous changes happened in the world and in the family from Abraham to Jesus. Think about all the trials, temptations, successes, failures, times of silence from God, and times God spoke with their family members. God always kept his word to them and those that interacted with them. How has your family tree been impacted by God and Jesus? Chapter 1 Verses 18-25 An angel of the Lord spoke to Joseph in a dream about the unborn Jesus. Joseph was called a righteous man in verse nineteen. Joseph obeyed what the angel told him to do. One thing we need to remember is that Joseph was commanded to give Jesus his name. That is very important. Jesus was not illegitimate. Joseph named Jesus as was the father’s responsibility. Jesus is the son of God and the son of Joseph. As the son of Joseph, he fulfilled numerous prophesies God gave Joseph’s ancestors. Has God given us specific instructions or commands? Have we obeyed what God has commanded us to do? Are we fulfilling prophesies God gave to our ancestors? Chapter 5 Verses 1-16
Paul gave Timothy sound advice on how to treat people in verses one and two. People, regardless of their age and gender, should be treated with respect. We need to do that today, just like Timothy and the people Timothy was leading in Ephesus needed to back then. Paul gave Timothy a lot of instructions on caring for widows in verses three through sixteen. We need to carefully read Paul’s definition of widows that needed help from the local church and those that needed their family to step up and help them. We also need to carefully read why Paul instructed Timothy to advise younger widows to remarry. Life for women has changed since back then, but some of the traps Satan sets for younger widows is still the same. Chapter 5 Verses 17-25 Paul gave Timothy advice on different topics in these verses. He addressed honoring elders that do the work of the local church well; what to do when there are accusations against an elder; do not lay hands on someone too quickly; drink some wine for his illness; sins and good deeds are obvious. How do we treat people of different ages, gender, and marital status? Do we have someone in our lives that gives us practical, spiritual advice? Chapter 6 Verses 1-2 Paul told Timothy how to address slaves in these two verses. This agreed with what Paul wrote to the church in Ephesus earlier in Ephesians 6:5-7. Chapter 6 Verses 3-10 In these verses Paul warned Timothy about people that would not agree with the teaching of Jesus Christ. There were people back then and there are people today that enjoy quarrels and look to profit from godliness. Verse seven is a clear reminder of our status: we brought nothing with us when we came here, and we will take nothing with us when we leave here. Verse ten clearly says the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. Money is not the problem; loving money is and always will be a problem. We are to love God first with all our being and then love others as we love ourselves. There is no time or place for children of God to love money. Chapter 6 Verses 11-21 Paul closed this letter to Timothy with a charge and instructions to the rich. He charged Timothy to fight the good fight of the faith. We also are charged with fighting the good fight of the faith. There are forces from Satan and other humans, including our own flesh, that goes against our faith in Jesus Christ. We must fight daily to build our faith and lean not on our own understanding. Faith is trusting when we cannot see it. Faith is trusting when we cannot hear it. Faith is trusting when we cannot feel it. Faith is trusting when we cannot taste it. Faith is trusting when we cannot smell it. Faith is when we trust God without our five senses confirming what we are trusting God for. Timothy was given instructions for people that are rich. They are to freely give and be generous. Rich people should store treasures in heaven by doing good deeds. What is our relationship with money? Has anyone given us instructions about our faith in Jesus Christ? Has anyone given us instructions how to use what God has given us? |
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May 2024
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