This past break has been a difficult one for me. It seems that setting aside the Word and letting so called "normal life" have it's way with me has robbed me of the feeling of being close to God. I have complained, moaned, felt bitter and griped more than ever. I have felt alone and distant from everyone and anything that has a smidgen of meaningfulness. I have learned there is nothing good about setting my time in God's Word aside. In my daily study and reading, I find strength, comfort, guidance and a connection with God. Without it these things drifted away until they seemed to not exist.
In past years, I weathered these breaks and looked forward to them but no longer. My take away is that I will not take a month off again. It has simply been too hard on me.
So here is what I have been doing for our August study. Because we last read Acts written by Luke, I felt it would be good to continue with what Luke wrote by reading the Gospel of Luke. I have been reading Luke chapters 1 and 2 daily. We have done from 3 to 5 chapters a day but Luke chapter 1 is rather long and I do not want to lead you into frustration but hope you will take your time and see what is there.
I hope you have purchased your commentary for Luke and will keep it close by as you read and study. As I mentioned earlier. I will not be doing a verse by verse review of theses last few books of the New Testament and am leaving that up to you and your commentary. I will however post things that jump out at me. These I believe may be things the Lord wants me to share.
The last month, the Lord has stretched, kneaded, pulled and shaken me and perhaps I have come away with a new perspective and even calling.I have often attempted to live as two persons, one who tries to serve God and another who feels unworthy of such service. Thoughts of who am I to serve our Glorious Lord? Now I am needing to give more and fully commit to being a servant of our God. I guess the time away had purpose after all!
Luke is full of wonderful things so dig deep, concentrate and let His Spirit guide you and lead you.
Love and Blessings,