Scripture:
Luke 1:1-4; Acts 1:1-3
Mon, 19 December 2022

His Story, Our Story

Observation:

How did Luke describe the purpose of his writing and the way he compiled
the story of Jesus in the Gospel of Luke?

Deeper Reflection
LUKE IS A HISTORIAN. LUKE’S CONTRIBUTION CAME AFTER diligent research. His sources were eyewitnesses with first-hand knowledge of Jesus’ life and ministry. Luke’s Gospel was historically grounded, accurate and purposeful. If not for Luke, we’ll not have the Christmas story of Jesus’ birth 13 . If not for Luke, we’ll not have some of the stories that augment the Christmas story, and for that matter, the beginning and growth of the early church in Acts. 14 Luke was also a theologian. He wanted to teach the recipients of his Gospel about God and the ways of God through Christ. He was interested in confirming Theophilus in his faith.Luke can be said to use history to inform his theology. There are distinct emphases: the themes of prayer, salvation and God’s special interest in the marginalised people in first-century Jewish Palestine (e.g., the sick, tax-collectors, women and children). Luke also emphasises the work of the Holy Spirit more than the other Synoptic Gospel writers. 15 This has two important applicational implications: (1) We can trust the Bible as historically reliable; and (2) We can share our story. Luke has a story of Jesus and the church (in Acts). If there’s a central theme in Luke-Acts, it might be “salvation”. Luke-Acts is the story of the “Saviour” (Lk 1:69; 2:11; Acts 5:31; 13:23), the story of those who are being saved (e.g., Lk 19:1-10; Acts 2:47), and traces how salvation extends from Israel to the ends of the earth (Lk 1:77; 2:30; Acts 1:8; 13:47). What’s your story? Are you purposefully sharing your redemptive story and how it weaves into the story of Jesus this Christmas?
13 Only Matthew, besides Luke, has several verses describing the birth of Jesus; cf. Matthew 1:18-25 14 It is almost universally recognised that Luke wrote Acts as a sequel to his Gospel; cf. Luke 1:3 with Acts1:1. 15 The Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke form the Synoptic Gospels
Application:

Am I growing in my understanding of God’s story through Christ and
helping others know with “certainty what they have been taught” (v.4)?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, let me not get so caught up with the festivities as we approach Christmas. Instead, help me to remember the true reason for the season and be ready to share my story of how I came to know you. I bring before you my relatives and friends who still do not know you and pray that they will have a chance to hear about you this Christmas. In your name we pray, amen.
Prayer Pointers:
  • Give thanks and praise
  • Pray for leaders
  • Pray for significant people
  • Pray for those in need
  • Pray for self
 

Download this Building Fund QR Code  and upload it to your banking app via your gallery/album. 

Download this General Fund for East QR Code  and upload it to your banking app via your gallery/album. 

Download this General Fund for WDL QR Code  and upload it to your banking app via your gallery/album. 

Daily Devo
Daily Devotional Journal
Scripture:
Daniel 5:17, 25-31; 6:1-2
Mon, 5 June 2023

Serving from Babylon to Persia

Observation:

What is the significance of Daniel serving in the Babylonian and Persian
courts successively?

Deeper Reflection
God’s word to Belshazzar that He would “put an end” to his kingdom and give it “over to the Medes and Persians” was fulfilled immediately – “that same night” (v.30) – after Daniel’s interpretation of the inscription on the wall (vv.25-31). God can fulfil His Word immediately or after a long time. Whatever time God may take to fulfil His Word, He is “trustworthy in all His promises and faithful in all He does” (Psa 145:13b, NIV).The demise of the Babylonian hegemony was not just a historical event, but primarily a theological one. Nebuchadnezzar was “My servant” whom God raised to judge His unfaithful people in the seventy-year Babylonian exile (Jer 25:8-9, 11). When God had accomplished His purpose through Babylon, “I will punish the king of Babylon and that nation” (Jer 25:12). This is how God deals with arrogant and evil nations: “And Babylon, the beauty of kingdoms, the glory of the Chaldeans’ pride, will be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah” (Isa 13:19).The end of Babylon does not mean an insecure future for Daniel. However drastically our circumstances may change, God’s call for our lives remains when we walk with Him faithfully. We are secure in God’s call, because it is God’s call. Daniel became one of “the three commissioners” in Persia (Dan 6:1-2). It wasn’t that having lost his job Daniel applied to serve the Persian king. Daniel couldn’t do that. It was purely by royal appointment. But behind the “It seemed good to Darius to appoint” (Dan 6:1) was God’s call for Daniel to serve Him from Babylon to Persia.
Application:

How do I relate God’s call for me in drastic changes of my life situations?

Prayer:
Lord, I believe You have a calling for my life which You have intended to be distinctive for me. I want to live my life with a deep sense of answering Your calling. Help me to walk with You faithfully, knowing that as I do so, You will unfold Your plans for me in that calling. Grant me wisdom and understanding to discern Your calling for my life.
Prayer Pointers:
  • Give thanks and praise
  • Pray for leaders
  • Pray for significant people
  • Pray for those in need
  • Pray for self
 

Download this New Life Fund QR Code  and upload it to your banking app via your gallery/album. 

Download this General Fund for BPJ QR Code  and upload it to your banking app via your gallery/album. 

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website.