Well today is day 24 and hopefully for most of us this means we have now finished reading the whole book of Luke. Before we embark on our exploration of the first church in Acts I have a question for us: What are we discovering about God's direction and guidance for us in 2008? Or perhaps worded a little differently, what are we hearing God say to us about the way we are to live our lives - both now and in the future?Sorry if I've been hammering this drum for the last few days but I really want to emphasize that this journey is not just about "reading" but it is about "seeking" God with all our heart and responding to his words with action and surrender. Feel free to share not just your reflections on what you have been reading but also your action responses and thoughts for the future as well.
4 comments:
I was sharing what I have been learning with my Mum (97) as I took her home today. She is a wonderful spiritual support - and we share a lot with each other.
I feel we (Rolf and I) have been so blessed since we came to make our home here 19 years ago. It was such an uncertain time - a 'seemingly 'risky' decision at our ages with youngish children.
God has been amazing (both when the planning was happening for the move and when I arrived - but that is another story) - so amazing that 17 years later we were self funded retirees. I was so longing to serve God with the time I had been giving to work. 2 years later it has all been fits and starts.
The gifts I now have are time and resources. For me the view of retirement is completely clarified from the time studying Luke. This is not the time for taking it easy - having 'earned' it as the world would say. I am feeling VERY challenged about things we had been thinking about for next year. A trip back to Africa to see the country, and family and friends. Totally challenged.
God knows my circumstances and like everyones - they seemingly have balancing acts with family [and work for many] and being Jesus follower.
What Jesus is saying to me though Luke is - "Focus on following me - not on the problems that may arise in following me". Satan loves to sidetrack me.
Back to Mum, some of what I feel makes her a tad fearful, that maybe I would be taken up with things and find it hard to 'fit her in'. At 97 you need support and reassurance for a number of the practical aspects of your life. I have reassured her! Honouring your Mum does not end when you leave the nest! I am looking forward to stepping out - knowing that there are God given committments that still need to be met. My heart is still and even more for the children in our neighbourhoods that are born into impoverished families. Impoverished from whatever cause - not necessarily financial. Each is a precious lamb - and he longs to gather them in his arms.
A beautiful message and acknowledgement of GOD's working in your lives, Rosaleen, ... and how awesome to have your mother in your life still :)
With Time being at such a "premium" for so many of us in this society - what a blessing to have 'earned' the opportunity now to be able to share time with others in reflecting Jesus and HIS message.
Valuable clarification ;)
Funny, it seems as thought the disciples still hadn't joined all the dots prior to Jesus crucifiction. With Jesus resurrection, meeting with them and going over the scriptures with them, it bought it all together.
I like how Luke ends it - as a perfect prequel to Acts. It's almost as if Jesus was excited for them for what was about to happen.
I like the way that Luke ends with joy and praise.
The first 24 days have been timely as I approach my cross roads - I haven't seen the clear path forwards but I can feel both challenge and change, almost preparation - but I'll leave it at that for now.
There are a number of action steps in my life that I am taking at the moment. One I will mention today is that after having come out of a fairly "dry" time as far as prayer and relating with God are concerned I am pressing in to "explore" what it means to seek the presence of God in my life day by day. One commitment I have made is to pray with others at least once a week in the Concordia Church building for an hour in the "early" morning.
In Hebrews 11:6 it says that God rewards those who earnestly seek him. I want to learn what this means for me.
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