Luke 21
Widow's mite. "All these others made offerings that they'll never miss; she gave extravagantly what she couldn't afford--she gave her all!" Do I miss my offerings to God...are they a sacrifice? If so, of what? What might it be like to give in such a way that impacted my lifestyle? Do I? Can I? Will I?
Good words facing election day: "Many leaders will show up with forged identities claiming, 'I'm the one,' or 'The end is near.' Don't fall for any of that. When you hear of wars and uprisings, keep your head and don't panic. This is routine history and no sign of the end." Pluck that puppy out of context...why doesn't that happen? The whole section speaks to our tendency to tear one another apart.
Vengeance Day, as opposed to Judgment Day. What does that do to end times theology?
When we see leaves beginning to show, one look tells us summer is around the corner. The same is here, when you see these things happen, God's kingdom is about here. If kingdom is a present reality, on earth as it is in heaven, especially as Luke presents in this gospel, do we simply keep looking around the wrong corners, as surely things should be different by now...
"Jesus is proclaiming a way of life that has its feet on the ground, that's reasonable and whole and practical but that's vastly different and superior to what we're used to. Death isn't the worst thing that can happen to us. Suffering isn't either. Nor rejection, poverty, or illness. The worst thing is to be without meaning, without love, without purpose, without hope--without God. But we aren't ever without God, not cut off. The simplest act of faith puts you in relationship with God--so don't be terrified, for not a hair of your head will perish." EP
2 Timothy 3-4
3:1-5 goes right along with what Jesus was just saying in Luke 21. Don't be naive. These things will happen. "They'll make a show of religion, but behind the scenes, they're animals. Stay clear of these people."
"Anyone who wants to live all out for Christ is in for a lot of trouble; there's no getting around it. Unscrupulous con men will continue to exploit the faith. They're as deceived as the people they lead astray. As long as they're out there, things can only get worse."
"Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another--showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God's way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us."
Christ himself is the judge, of living and dead. You. Keep the Message alive. Sound teaching isn't junk food or comfort food. It's solid food. Spiritual food with empty calories is what a lot of people eat, but it doesn't nourish the soul.
God be with you. Grace be with you.
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