New Year 2019: Forgetting What Lies Behind (Phil. 3:1-16)
“Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 3:13 ESV2011)
Those Who Wait for the Consolation of Israel (Luke 2:8-38; Matthew 2:1-12)
Aside from the families of Zechariah, Elizabeth, Joseph, and Mary who were all righteous and faithful, there were a bunch of equally faithful Jews and wise Gentiles who were waiters for the consolation of Israel.
Jesus Was Born: A Remarkable Display of God’s Providence (Luke 2:1-7)
"And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn." (Luke 2:7, NJKV)
The Announcement to Mary (Luke 1:26-38)
“Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” (1:38 NJKV)
Mary Visits Elizabeth: An Amazing Support System for Two Women in Unusual Circumstances (Luke 1:39-56)
"We all need an amazing support system! If you have one, take care of them and keep them because they’re rare! For those who are still finding, keep praying, it will come in God’s appointed time."
The Gospel of Luke: Good News to the Underprivileged
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.” - Luke 4:18-19 - (KJV)
Luke, the Evangelist, Physician, Historian and Close Companion
"Through the use of medical jargon Luke gave us a detailed and deeper look at some of the healing miracles in the New Testament." "It is possible that Luke did not desire to be a historian, but his work made him a skilled one." "Luke is a close companion and a friend to Paul especially when he was old and ready to be executed by the Roman government. What an example of a co-worker and a friend who will never leave you even in the darkest of times!"
Experiencing Christ Through The Black Nazarene
"The challenge for the contemporary 'non-Catholic' Christian churches is how to make their liturgy and other church services serve as transmitter (mediator) of Christ's power so that the congregation can have a more tangible and concrete experience of Christ."
