Luke 6:1-11 // How do we rediscover the lost art of the Sabbath rhythm? How do we establish strategic rhythms of rest that allow us to heal and recover so that we avoid injury or burnout and continue to progress in our journey of becoming more like Jesus? A strategic prescription for deep and effective rest: Stop. Rest. Delight. Worship. When we spend time with God, the lies that satan has planted in our minds are uprooted and our true identity is restored in our Creator.

Luke 5:27-32 // Jesus intentionally and individually pursues us. Pursued people are generous, awkwardly inclusive, and joyful! Holiness is not the enemy, self-righteousness is.

32 I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”

Luke 4:16-44 // What was Jesus’ agenda here on earth? His motivation was always His identity before activity. It is His identity that gives His activity authority. Spend time with God. Knowing that we are children of God and spending time with the Father will align our motivations with God’s heart. There is so much in our lives that try to pull our attention and distort our view of Jesus. Our number purpose is to operate out of our identity in God. That relationship will guide every action of our lives.

Luke 4:1-14 // How can we be prepared for temptation? How do we understand how we are tempted? Satan tempts us to give in to sensual desires. Our flesh also tempts us to pursue praise and significance. We resist temptation by admitting and confessing it, re-orientating our lives, and restraining/replacing things that are leading us into temptation.

Luke 1:1-4, Luke 3:10-22 // Jesus engages in strategic hospitality, over and over, using the common and beautiful tool of a table to pursue sinners. The fact that food was used as a literary device as well as the fact that Luke intentionally records these moments of eating shows us the earthy, gritty reality of how Jesus operated as well as showing us what the new kingdom is like. It is not about ideas and philosophy, it is as concrete and practical as the meal we are eating. Everywhere He went, he brought the table with Him—offering his Words and Himself as food and drink.

God reveals His majesty unexpectedly by establishing strength through babies. (Psalm 8:1-2) Firstly, through a blessed lineage of miraculous fertility. Secondly, through the unsuspecting war cries of babies. God also reveals His majesty unexpectedly by appointing humanity to rule creation. (Psalm 8:3-8)

The entire canon of Scripture sees the emergence of life as a threat to the principalities and powers… [It is no surprise then] that God’s enemies would seek to destroy. The devil’s chief strategy is always to ruin relationship. – Todd Chipman

God in His wisdom invites His creation into meaningful participation that has an impact! God is deeply concerned with the treatment of those who are lowly, orphans, poor, destitute, or needy. Through the incarnation, we see the ultimate act of participation in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.

How does one encounter God in a way that causes them to proclaim His love and faithfulness to people within and outside the body of Christ? Individuals who have been transformed long to speak of their transformation. Altered people love to build altars that speak of what has led to their alteration. Psalm 40:5 – "Lord my God, no one can compare with You. You have done many wonderful things. You have planned to do these things for us. There are too many of them for me to speak completely about."

The way we pursue and offer forgiveness is a powerful demonstration of the mercy of God. This week we are looking at Psalm 51:1-19. "Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions."

Psalm 23 invites us to revel in God by reveling in His name, in His care for us, and in His house. In the Lord, we have all that we need, He restores our souls, and guides us on the right path. As sheep, our only job is to stay close to the Good Shepherd.