Luke 12:49-59

In reading these two sections a few things struck out at me. The first was a reminder that we really need to be careful to exegete when we read scripture. I have a feeling that a great many people have used Luke 12:59 to justify a concept of purgatory. Its worrysome whenever people overfocus on a single verse out of context - and it happens a lot.

The second thing that struck me was the "not peace, but division" section (Luke 12:49-53). Its a point worth dwelling on. While jesus saves, he does not create a cum-bi-yah circle of hapiness for everyone. He creates conflict between those who believe and those who don't.

Application: This is a great reminder that no matter how close I am with someone, I should never let them get in the way of my relationship with Christ, even if it means conflict.

Memory verses for today (building on previous list)

Matthew 28:19-20
Romans 3:23
Ephesians 2:8-9

Luke 12:35-48

This is the call to faithful stewardship. And a faithful steward I have not been. It's been close to two months since my last entry. I've been in a trough in the past few months, but the fog is lifting and I'm starting to get back on track.

When JB died, my great friend Ryan reminded me of a saying he heard from Blake at Watermark, "Know your theology before you go in." It was basically saying that we can't wait for the emergency to learn what we need to say at that moment. We nned to know what to say so that when the tragedy hits, we have a response. This is so true is is laughably simple. Get into the Word while your life is calm so that when it isn't you are armed.

Today, I will get armed.

Today, I've been memorizing the following verses:

John 3:16
John 1:1-3
John 16:4