Tag Archives: Luke 1:1-25

March 13, 2015 Bible Study — Who Ya Gonna Call?

For today, One Year Bible Online links here.

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Proverbs 11:8

    This proverb is not a guarantee. Rather it is a generalization. Most of the time when trouble comes the godly have taken actions which cause that trouble to pass them by. Instead, trouble which might have otherwise fallen on the godly falls upon the wicked.

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Psalm 56:1-13

    I have no idea why this psalm reminded me of the Ghostbusters’ them song, but that was what I thought when I read this verse:

But when I am afraid,
I will put my trust in you.

When I experience fear, I call God. The key to this as an effective strategy for relieving fear is given us by the psalmist:
I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?
What can mere mortals do to me?

If we truly believe and trust God we will not fear anything that can happen to us, knowing that He can and will care for us. I know that anything which happens to me is part of God’s plan and I know that God’s plan will bring me happiness.

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Luke 1:1-25

    Luke begins his account by telling us that many had set out to write accounts about the events which had occurred. He mentions that the others had used the eyewitness accounts that were circulating. We know of two of the accounts to which he was probably referring (the Gospel of Mark and the Gospel of Matthew). A third has been postulated as source material for both Matthew and Luke. It seems likely that Luke was aware of others which have been completely lost. Luke further says that after a thorough investigation he has decided to write a careful account.
    In Acts, Luke refers to an encounter with some disciples of John the Baptist who were unfamiliar with Jesus. Knowledge of this made me wonder if perhaps his account of John the Baptist’s birth came from accounts written by disciples of John the Baptist (or perhaps, just from speaking directly with them).

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Numbers 19-20:29

    The description of the water of purification sounds as if it would be a lye solution with several other antiseptic ingredients. In other words, this complex ritual would likely have resulted in reducing the risk of infection.

March 13, 2014 Bible Study — When I Am Afraid, I Put My Trust In God

    I am using One Year Bible Online for my daily Bible study. For today, One Year Bible Online links here. I have found that by writing this daily blog of what I see when I read these scriptures, I get more out of them. I hope that by posting these ruminations others may get some benefit as well. In order to make that possible I read the passages and write my thoughts a day, or more. in advance. If you have any thoughts or comments regarding these verses or what I have written about them, please post them.

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Proverbs 11:8

    Living righteously leads us to avoid trouble, while the wicked walk headlong into it.

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Psalm 56:1-13

    This psalm gives us good advice for dealing with fear. When I am afraid, I will turn to God and trust in Him. If God is defending me, what can mere mortals do to harm me? I need fear nothing aside from God and I will trust the promises He has made. I will praise God and walk in His presence. He has promised good things to me.

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Luke 1:1-25

    I have long loved the Gospel of Luke because Luke is so meticulous about laying out the facts as he knew them. Today’s passage contains the angel’s announcement to Zechariah that he would have a son. An interesting part of the announcement was when the angel said that John would “turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and he will cause those who are rebellious to accept the wisdom of the godly.” I am not sure what was meant here, but as I read it I see our society where to an ever greater extent fathers have nothing to do with raising their children and where children are taught to reject godliness. Today, we need a voice calling out to turn us to the Lord our God. A voice which will turn the hearts of fathers to their children. Someone who will cause the rebellious to accept the wisdom of the godly. Let us pray to God that He bring our land such a voice. If God is calling me to be that voice, let me answer. If God is calling someone else who needs me to encourage them, let me encourage them. I ask that you be willing to be that voice. Let each of us be that voice in the places where we find ourselves.

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Numbers 19-20:29

    When the people of Israel were in the wilderness of Zin, once more they had no water. However, despite their experience with God’s power they rebelled against Moses and Aaron. They complained that Moses had led them into the wilderness to die. Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before God in front of the Tabernacle. Moses and Aaron were to take Aaron’s staff (the one which had budded) and in the presence of the people Moses was to speak to a specific rock. God said that when Moses did this, water would pour forth from the rock. Moses did as God had said, except instead of just speaking to the rock, he struck it with the staff. We have situation here where the people failed to have faith in God, but their leader, Moses, also failed to have full faith in God. Moses did not trust God that merely speaking to the rock would be enough to bring forth the water.