Luke 23

Luke 23
I was reminded of two things when reading about Pilate giving Jesus over to the pharisees jurisdiction. We have the discernment to know what the right thing to do is and because of that I should strive to appease God in my purpose. When stakes are high can I guarantee to myself that I will persevere in Christ rather than fall into pressure? I think about this because I know we're all very much like Pilate when we know what is morally just but decide not to do it. If i'm to make God an obvious priority in the eyes of others then it will probably always be difficult to stand up for what goes agains't our societies standard. These can be petty things like giving tithes even though you might not have a lot of money or life impacting choices such as ending an idolising relationship. I'm thankful that I have a community to keep my accountable so I wont have to go through these trials alone. Lord, help me to seek your approval above all else even if it hurts or impacts others view on me.

Luke 22

Luke 22 is like a Game of Thrones plot, the characters are sympathetically relatable and yet unjustifiable and costly. How often do I commit apostasy in my heart? How often do I refrain from the gospel at Tafe, the workplace and even church out of all places? I’m scared of being overly confident/self sufficient which ends up to me not committing to a task I’ve initially accepted from God. Reasons like this is why I’m hesitant to say whether I love God, because I know I turn my back on him everyday one way or another. I have to always remind myself though, great men and women have turned their back on God, pursued sin and been broken by it and came back triumphant with powerful testimonies. Samson, King David, Saint Paul and Matthew the Tax Collector are those who come to mind. Christ can and will use those who recognise their failure and repent. To those reading, please pray that I do not fall into my self hatred to the point of crippling my trust in who'm is greater than my insecurities. Praise Him who is of grace. Amen

Luke 21

Just like Jesus, I should not leave those young in the faith unprepared. We should spread awareness that spiritual warfare can happen both in society (persecution) and in the church (false doctrine). What we should also remind each other on top of these is that God reassures us that He will protect us spiritually and will continue to make His kingdom through us. These warnings and promises apply to us as we await in Jesus second coming, up until then we cannot rest. I hope and pray that I will not stumble those who are younger or weaker in the faith than me. I must always uphold myself against the standards of scripture to hold myself accountable because I am corrupt and forgetful. Thank you Jesus that you have given me a written and observable format to know how I can become more like you.

Luke 18

This passage of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector has to be one of the most foundational stories about christian character. I was reminded of another passage as I repeated the tax collectors plea in my head. The contrast is unsubtle.

But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me a sinner.’ - Luke 18:13

Mephibosheth bowed down and said, “What is your servant, that you should should notice a dead dog like me?” - Samuel 9:8

Self righteousness is dangerous as it always leads to pride. I will never be able to comprehend the punishment that I get to avoid and how much I deserve it. I have ruined relationships, lied, cheated etc. However even though I consider myself a “dead dog”, I struggle to not let this mentality to lead to self hatred. I find myself usually bleak in working for the Lord as a lot of my effort into the Great Commision I do is in spite of hell, not gratefulness or ecstatic joy in God. Self hatred might be Idol, possibly, but I pray that I imitate in my thoughts that Calvary covers all my insecurities and failures. Praise Him.

2 Samuel 7

Dad was one to have shed countless blood being a thorn in the philistines thigh. God gave his enemies into his hands and saw him as a righteous man. And yet, God did not want to his temple to be built by such a man. This honourable task would have increased David's reputation as an effective warrior and yet he was contempt with the position God had given him. Instead of building the temple David made plans and collected the materials so that the next in line would work on it. Sometimes when God says no to our plans we should utilize the other opportunities he gives us. I hope that sooner rather than later I can accept my part in God's plan/family and not try go beyond it.

Luke 17

Luke 17
Sorry to everyone. I feel asleep halfway doing this. I was reminded the extreme responsibility of church leadership. Jesus warns us about God's wrath to those who manipulate or abuse their position in either church or the scriptures. This applies heavily to me wanting to be a Youth leader since youth are easily influenced by what they find attractive. This might mean I have to refrain myself from things such as talk about GoT or not take out senior students for Shisha. What I'm most concerned about is if I'm my profanity will cease. I will have to labour in the scriptures daily to keep myself accountable and top of dying to myself when a student I don't love needs caring for. My God I hope I don't cause them to stumble like I was.

1 Samuel 20

Wallah I wish I had more relationships like David and Jonathan. They had love and loyalty for each other but more importantly those aspects was centred around God. Jonathan knowing that it was in God's sovereign plan that David would be King still actively love and support him is the type of loyalty any Christian should aspire for. How often are my relationships based upon a hedonistic past or stupid banter? Improvements have been made I reckon, but I'm still much more a lover of people than of God. This goes back to my idol of belonging. Still, I trust that God has blessed me with resources to grow in more in diligent love. I just need to persist initiative.

Luke 16

I'm grateful that I have a more than a decent paycheck unlike last year. I've been able to give more tithes, buy study bibles, shout people food and buy decent clothes. Although these are good they can also be gateways into growing in pride and reliance on material wealth. So far I believe I've made a good mental composure, I always thank God for my privilage and acknowledge him as my ultimate provider. However, at what point do I start thanking God for material wealth so much to the point in which that I identify comfortability as God's only blessing. What about those who pray for me? What about Matthew going North Korea to use his God given gifts to educate people on business? These I need to identity more of, and as I identify them a new and increased persistence to give back what God has blessed me with. The blessings may be mine but they are also mine to use with the intention of genuine service of thanksgiving.