Luke 2 ~ heart

Luke 2

2 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 

7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.


8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

14
“Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

21 And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.


22 And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” 25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, 28 he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,

29
“Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace,
according to your word;
30
for my eyes have seen your salvation
31
that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
32
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and for glory to your people Israel.”

33 And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed 35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

36 And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, 37 and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. 38 And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.
The Return to Nazareth

39 And when they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40 And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.

41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. 42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom. 43 And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, 44 but supposing him to be in the group they went a day's journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances, 45 and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 And when his parents saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.” 49 And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?” 50 And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them. 51 And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart.

52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.

Christmas left and gone and why?

Christmas lingering and why?

Christmas Joy and Joy to come?

Still Christmas for Mary, Still Christmas for us!

It is my wish Christmas finds you with a smile on your face of work accomplished.


Joy found.



Mary... how did she feel about this time? This is the reality of Real Scripture.
Well, let's see. She was not at home for 3 months of her pregnancy. Joseph was not even spoken of. Her father is known in history only to the Sadducean Council Talmud reports and only by name and lineage and Luke 3. And that one was recorded by her side of the family.

Scant welcomed in their hometown. And the inn was too crowded so a barn was the only welcoming place. Did that go quietly? Hardly. A quiet little town with people coming in from the fields and light every where.

Home to Nazareth? Noooo. Another a walk or cart ride and this time sore with a baby. Mary is having a good and bothersome after Christmas.


Where is her joy? Jesus.

Because.

Mary was walking the walk. And telling the truth.  

Dr Kurt Kirkpatrick Ob-gyn says God has written our lives in our DNA - the pages of His Worthy Book of Life. Truth is a good objective and this is an honest Christmas story. Not dwelling on the difficulties and moaning and whining and creating Scrooge, but a very honest account that marketing surely would have dressed up with a lot more smiling.

Still time to adjust to the sweep of the huge forces life has for us.
Still time to judge the current God has for us sweeping us along in the same direction.

Time for gratitude.
Time for re-plan.
Time to learn.
Time to appreciate and have peace.
What is the message of God's plan in your life?
God has some unusual things to say.

He says Love Him first. Sometimes He says you must put GOD ahead of your family
Joseph did this to his good fortune.


If we spend all our time coddling our family - when push comes to shove - we can loose vital framework of God's Law - where most of God's blessing is centered.

We can loose God's goodness to just smile when we need to really pull for God's message to be understood.

Finding our balance in life - we can love the Law of God so much that our Justice has No Mercy and the TRUE FLAVOR OF GOD ALMIGHTY SHEPHERD OF OUR SOULS - has HIS Great Love - lost.

The challenge of riding this life raft called life in the white waters or the eddies, we have to find Scripture that is telling us - quickly address the Sunday School Lesson as needed and true and comfort. Or quickly love yourself - God does love you just as He created you, named you, planned to have you in His Book of Life.

Sometimes in white water it's to hard to find what he correct verse is. Then in those Times - Jesus will pray for you. The Comforter will groan with you. Our Father in Jesus.

We were blessed to have a lovely Christmas this year. No one was contagious. Everyone was employed (Father God, we lift up the economy of Houston to You and solutions You know already). All were happy and the weather was grand and the family was joyous.  This was a Good Christmas to be blessed with.

Now if you are in the re-planning phase of next Christmas, let me confess to you, I threw my gifts in pretty dollar store sacks and put trim on them to add beauty, but this I'd say I must discipline myself next year to plan even to wrap gifts before I do the decorations I like to do so much.

I am sometimes told by people how awful their Christmas was. I know Christmas can be a challenge the Scriptures tell us about. Difficulties begging for a solution are financial, relationship, self-doubt, and health. When we have times where are character is being challenged and formed, these are not the best of times - however in faith, we can Know God will hear us. They can turn the worst of times, back into the faith best of times.

Let me duck, dodge and cover because this advice sometimes gets the glare of miffed. The truth is we all need a cardboard box easily re-found and Christmas is a gathering of gifts for all loved ones collected all year.  Financially there are too mannnny haaaap haaaappy things to pop up at Christmas to do December shopping.

( TMI I confess to you again, after re-loading the gifts into more sacks after Christmas - I found the niece, nephew and brother in law gift - un-given. Om. However, when I shop with my late shoppers in crowded places - dragged along - I do not see the joy of giving. I see emotional trauma of - "Oh No!"  And some people truly need to be coached on what could be a good gift.  We are discovering real food and not the sugar treats are Great Gifts. Amazon does fruit and nuts that are affordable and easily shipped.)


Avoid the rocky perils

And you will be traveling along singing a song, sailing to the next 364 days

 Side by Side

You won't have to stress Christmas Decorations in October when you are - So Done!

We are going to all experience changes in life. Finding how much God loves you - inspires you to be Thankful.

The Joy is most of life is people - capable of doing their own life. Baptism and belief. Being sealed with the Holy Spirit. They know the solutions Father God has given them. All we have to do is gently put our oar in the water and paddle with the team.

With God in our real balance - Speaking up with joy and gentleness, being in belief all the voices have a purpose in God's eyes. Believing we all need some guidance and direction and mercy with joy.

Alleluia! Unto us a child is born. Christ Jesus the Lord.

Just like Mary. Expecting God. Living near and with God. Things to do. The unknown future to face. Each day doing our best to please Father God - is pleasing Father God.

Thank You Father God for another Christmas to love those around us. To reexamine our lives to Your Plan. To find the Joy and Blessings in each day. We thank You Father God, You will care for those we Love. We give You our closest prayers and know You hear with Mercy. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Luke 10:1-23 ~ Blessed are the eyes that see what you see!

Luke 10:1-23

10 After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go. 2 And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. 3 Go your way; behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves. 4 Carry no moneybag, no knapsack, no sandals, and greet no one on the road. 5 Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house!’ 6 And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest upon him. But if not, it will return to you. 7 And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer deserves his wages. Do not go from house to house. 

8 Whenever you enter a town and they receive you, eat what is set before you. 9 Heal the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ 10 But whenever you enter a town and they do not receive you, go into its streets and say, 11 ‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near.’ 12 I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town.


13 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. 14 But it will be more bearable in the judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you. 15 And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You shall be brought down to Hades.

16 “The one who hears you hears me, and the one who rejects you rejects me, and the one who rejects me rejects him who sent me.”


17 The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!” 

18 And he said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. 20 Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”


21 In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. 



22 All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, or who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”

23 Then turning to the disciples he said privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see!

24 For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.”

The Throne of God Almighty, Father God, is red and green. When Jesus remembers this particular day - sending out the 72, He is seeing the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand !

Father God, let us see each day the Joy You bring.
Remembering each day to fill our cup of Gratitude to overflowing. David knew this idea and we will follow this.

Bless the ones we love to have Your Joy, Love and Comfort. Bless the people You have given us. We ask Blessings for our work places, Churches, Cities, States and Nation. For the prayer requests we have been given and carry in our heart. For all people who Love You and You alone know they are written in Your Book of Life.

In Jesus, always, with Joy. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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John 14: 13, 14 ~ The Name of Jesus

Christmas presents us with something we do not often think of.

Matthew 13
"But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear. 17"For truly I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it."

For centuries, the people who heard Father God knew of the coming of the Messiah. And we are so fortunate to be the beloved who know this - the name of God's only Son - the Highest Name - is Jesus.

This is the birthday of Jesus the Lord. And we know His Name.


Because of this, we are able to pray with Jesus.


John 14
13"Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.


Father God, we thank You for Your name and not only do You hear our prayers, You pray with us and give Your Word in compassion. Thank You for Jesus. Amen

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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Luke 2:8-18 ~ Good news of great joy that will be for all the people

Matthew 19: 14 

Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.

Luke 2:8-18

8
Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock.
9
The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were struck with great fear.
10
The angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.
11
For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord.
12
And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger."
13
And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying:
14
"Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests."
15
When the angels went away from them to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go, then, to Bethlehem to see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us."
16
So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger.
17
When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child.
18
All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds.


Father God, The Glory belongs to You.
and in this, we rely and rejoice. In Jesus. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

John 8:12 ~ Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Genesis 1:3

And God said, "Let there be light," and there was Light.

John 8:12

12 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

How long ago did Father God start telling us of His Son, Jesus?

Genesis 49:10
The scepter shall not depart from Judah,
nor the ruler's staff from between his feet,
until tribute comes to him;
and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples.


Moses was told about Jesus.
Deuteronomy 18:15
The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers—it is to him you shall listen—


David and Nathan spoke of Jesus -

2 Samuel 7:12-16
When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom.

13 He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. When he commits iniquity, I will discipline him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men, 15 but my steadfast love will not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you.

16 And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.

Isaiah certainly knew of Jesus, God's Son.

Isaiah 7:14
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel [God with us].


Matthew walked with Jesus in awe and gave Him a party.

Matthew 1:21
She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus [God saves], for he will save his people from their sins.”

We have a response to Jesus the Lord.

Christmas is sometimes down played as being for children.

Matthew 18:5
And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.

Psalm 78:6
So the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children.

Father GOD, Bless us and keep us to prepare a place in us each day for Your Joy.
Open our hearts, let the delight of our thoughts be You
and keep us in Your Grace.

We Thank You, Jesus Always for those we Love, the People You have given and Your Goodness.

Amen and Merry Christmas!

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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Isaiah 9:6-7 ~ The zeal of the Lord of Hosts will do this.

Isaiah 11:6
The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together; and a little child shall lead them.

Isaiah 65:25
The wolf and the lamb will feed together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox, but dust will be the serpent's food. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain," says the LORD.

Paul was told several times about his future. God did not want people to say Paul was uninformed. Later Paul wrote to Timothy saying he would like to join him, but "he would see how it goes with me." Jesus sent Paul on several journeys and when Paul got to Asia, the Holy Spirit sent him back.

Isaiah told us all about Jesus. And the Magi went to Herod to see this Child of God.

Isaiah 7:14
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.[God is with us]



Isaiah 9:6-7

For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7
Of the increase of his government and of peace
there will be no end,
on the throne of David and over his kingdom,
to establish it and to uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time forth and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.


The government was upon the shoulders of Jesus - suffocation in crucifixion is caused by the placement of the shoulders upon the cross. God makes all things to work for Good and Jesus' Kingdom will have no end.


These Prophesies of Jesus come to pass. And when they are accomplished, people remember and understand.





Isaiah 11:1-10
Nations would seek the counsel of Jesse's descendant


There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse,
and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.
2
And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him,
the Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and might,
the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.
3
And his delight shall be in the fear of the Lord.
He shall not judge by what his eyes see,
or decide disputes by what his ears hear,
4
but with righteousness he shall judge the poor,
and 
decide with equity for the meek of the earth

Meek - not wanting to argue, to answer with dignity. Joshua was told not to lean to the right nor the left. This is called be strong and courageous. Joshua, in the power of the Holy Spirit, went far.

Now, Balaam was not very nice in 1600-1400 B.C. yet all he said about the Star of David and Jesus, we can well have our hearts warmed by today.






Numbers 24 c 1400 -1600 B.C.

5 Then he spoke his message:

“The prophecy of Balaam son of Beor,
the prophecy of one whose eye sees clearly,
16 the prophecy of one who hears the words of God,
who has knowledge from the Most High,
who sees a vision from the Almighty,
who falls prostrate, and whose eyes are opened:

17“I see him, but not now;
I behold him, but not near.

A star will come out of Jacob;
a scepter will rise out of Israel.



Isaiah was well recognized for being like Joshua. Isaiah had worked for 3 Kings of the line of David in Judah and finally with Hezekiah, the Assyrian Empire was going to fall back because the people of God were going to trust God.

What would happen when the Words of Balaam would be seen as parallel with the Words of Isaiah even if Balaam, son of Beor, was basically a self serving pagan. Balaam would have his words inscribed upon the walls of his birthplace in a cave in Deir Alla, Jordan. Called the Book of Balaam Inscription.

8th-century BC Kingdom of Judah -Isaiah, placed in Jordan.

Bringing the passages together would be Jesus, the One we would want to behold and see drawing this together, as Jesus does.

Matthew 28:19
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,



Father God,
To Isaiah, to Balaam, to Paul - You will is Your's. For Your Great Purpose. All things are made by You and Your Plan has the fullness of being united in Jesus Christ. Things in Heaven and things on earth.

In Great Thanksgiving, we have obtained an inheritance in Jesus. Let us work our lives according to the counsel of Father God, You Will in Your Words.

We will hope in Jesus to help participate in the Praise of Your Glory.

In Jesus, we know Your Words are truth. The Gospel is Your Salvation to us who believe. We are sealed with the promises of Your Word in the Holy Spirit.

We will not cease to give thanks for Jesus, knowing you pray with us as in John 16 and John 17.

Father please give us the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of You.
Having the eyes of our hearts enlightened, that we may know what is the hope to which He has called us,

Help us to see the riches of Your glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of Your power toward us who believe.

The way you have shown our fathers and forefathers according to the working of Your great might. And the multitudes and millions of people who saw Your work in Jesus Christ when HE rose from the dead. And now Jesus is seated at Your right hand in the heavenly places,

You are far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.

All things of Heaven and earth are Yours.

To the praise of Your Glory, in victory we give those we love into Your blessing and into Your Hand. In beautiful hope, we give the People You have given us again to You. We lift up our Churches believing in Jesus and His Word, our work places, our state and Nation. May God Bless This Nation. And all the people of all nations calling upon Jesus. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Luke 4 ~ The Spirit of the Lord

Bethlehem photo of last century shows how the manger or barn looked.

Luke 4

4 And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness 2 for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing during those days. And when they were ended, he was hungry. 3 The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” 4 And Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone.’” 5 And the devil took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time, 6 and said to him, “To you I will give all this authority and their glory, for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will. 7 If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.” 8 And Jesus answered him, “It is written,

“‘You shall worship the Lord your God,
and him only shall you serve.’”

9 And he took him to Jerusalem and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, 10 for it is written,

“‘He will command his angels concerning you,
to guard you,’

11 and

“‘On their hands they will bear you up,
lest you strike your foot against a stone.’”

12 And Jesus answered him, “It is said, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’” 13 And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time.
Jesus Begins His Ministry

14 And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and a report about him went out through all the surrounding country. 15 And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all.
Jesus Rejected at Nazareth

16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read. 17 And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written,

18
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives
and recovering of sight to the blind,
to set at liberty those who are oppressed,
19
to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.”

20 And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. 21 And he began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” 22 And all spoke well of him and marveled at the gracious words that were coming from his mouth. And they said, “Is not this Joseph's son?” 23 And he said to them, “Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, ‘Physician, heal yourself.’ What we have heard you did at Capernaum, do here in your hometown as well.” 24 And he said, “Truly, I say to you, no prophet is acceptable in his hometown. 25 But in truth, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heavens were shut up three years and six months, and a great famine came over all the land, 26 and Elijah was sent to none of them but only to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow. 27 And there were many lepers[a] in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, and none of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian.” 28 When they heard these things, all in the synagogue were filled with wrath. 29 And they rose up and drove him out of the town and brought him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they could throw him down the cliff. 30 But passing through their midst, he went away.

31 And he went down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee. And he was teaching them on the Sabbath, 32 and they were astonished at his teaching, for his word possessed authority. 33 And in the synagogue there was a man who had the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out with a loud voice, 34 “Ha![b] What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God.” 35 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent and come out of him!” And when the demon had thrown him down in their midst, he came out of him, having done him no harm. 36 And they were all amazed and said to one another, “What is this word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out!” 37 And reports about him went out into every place in the surrounding region.

38 And he arose and left the synagogue and entered Simon's house. Now Simon's mother-in-law was ill with a high fever, and they appealed to him on her behalf. 39 And he stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her, and immediately she rose and began to serve them.

40 Now when the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various diseases brought them to him, and he laid his hands on every one of them and healed them. 41 And demons also came out of many, crying, “You are the Son of God!” But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew that he was the Christ.


42 And when it was day, he departed and went into a desolate place. And the people sought him and came to him, and would have kept him from leaving them, 43 but he said to them, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose.” 44 And he was preaching in the synagogues of Judea.

1 Corinthians 14:39-40
Therefore, my brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak in tongues. But all things must be done properly and in an orderly manner.


Now how would Luke 4 be a Christmas story?
It's out of order. This has a very good answer !

Ephesians 4 talks about the orderliness of God:

Ephesians 4:11-15

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ.


When you look at Luke 1, Luke begins by saying he wants to write an orderly account.

Then none of the Gospels exactly match up. Luke 4 is a lot like Mark 1 and the first Gospel of Luke matches with Matthew 1, but then this matches Luke 3.

So where is the order here? 
This has a very interesting answer !!!
 These Gospels are in order! 
The order of this creation of God the Father - the writer blessed to believe Jesus Christ - blessed to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Blessed to see the Salvation of God using the compass, the Book of Life, DNA, the Plan of God, using gifts talents and personality of salt and light - to understand Father God fills the universe.

John sees Christmas - the willingness of Jesus to do this unique plan of God begin in John's life in the Transfiguration. John walks, sees, witnesses, wonders, worries and is TOLD BY GOD at the Transfiguration. More than gleaming white light, Moses, Elijah and Jesus and Father God. John is fully transfigured by Being Told by God Himself.

Therefore, John's Christmas is

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

9 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. 

16 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.




The Gospel writers see Father God in their relationship with Him.

2 Corinthians 3:17
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

Mark sees proclaiming good news begins with taming our wilderness. Repentance of our sins and making the paths straight for the Lord! The Place of New Beginnings!


 


Father God is making a statement to the Temple of God ~ where men who have handicaps do not enter the Temple of the Lord. The Sacrifices made must be spotless and pure.

Father God has taken Freedom to send HIS Son to the rural areas where an unwed mother would be shocking, not some thing of the Temple, instead, of Father God's heart. This is where we all truly connect, live, move and have our being with Father God and His Love for us.

This journey of His Son, His Precious Son He would run to. Would start as an individual journey letting Light Shine until the there is today a New Heaven and a new earth.

Our lives, our relationship with Father God are like the Scriptures. Living and Active. Seen separately for us to connect with Father God using our God given personality and gifts.

Matthew 1
Mark 1
Luke 1
John 1








Father God, help me to be on Your Path. Seeing what I do today for You. We ask for Encouragement, Strength, Love, Wisdom and Joy.

We pray this for our loved ones and the people You have given us. In Jesus the Lord. For our Churches, work places, state and Nation. For all Your Beloved. Amen in Jesus.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †