SS8: Consider the Chickens (Luke 12)

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If you've been following along with our Bible reading plan, you will have read through the first 13 chapters of Luke by today. (It's not too late if you still want to start. Or you can always just jump in where we are!) In these 13 chapters we've already seen Jesus raise a dead girl and boy back to life, cast demons out of several people, heal many more sick people, preach, calm stormy seas, multiply fish and bread enough to feed a small army, call 12 disciples and then send out 72 (not just 12!) of His followers to spread the good news in his name and authority, allowing them to heal and cast out demons like He has been doing. It's pretty dramatic stuff.

Exciting as it may be, Jesus makes it clear, however, that following Him is not without cost. While eternal life and salvation is a free gift, following Him as Lord means giving up being our own lords and gods. He calls us to give up holding so tightly to our possessions and even relationships and reputations in order to seek His Kingdom and hold tightly to Him instead. If we're honest, we will admit this is not the easiest thing to do.

Jesus asks a lot from us. He tells us to not be afraid of people, but to fear God instead. He tells us that it's foolish to store up possessions and treasures on earth and neglect spiritual, heavenly treasure.  He tells us not to deny Him before others or He will deny us before the angels of God. This is serious stuff!

Yes, Jesus asks a lot of us. But trusting Him and doing as He tells us becomes much easier when we believe He loves us and cares for us. In the middle of so many challenging commands, Jesus reminds us we are never forgotten and that the hairs on our heads are numbered - that we are more valuable than the sparrows He lovingly cares for. (Luke 12:6-7)

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He says to trust the Father with our needs and not to worry about having enough. Then he says to think - not just about the cute little sparrows, but the ravens and wildflowers, too.

24 Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn, yet God feeds them. How much more valuable are you than the birds! 25 And which of you by worrying can add an hour to his life? 26 So if you cannot do such a very little thing as this, why do you worry about the rest? 27 Consider how the flowers grow; they do not work or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory was clothed like one of these! 28 And if this is how God clothes the wild grass, which is here today and tomorrow is tossed into the fire to heat the oven, how much more will he clothe you, you people of little faith! 29 So do not be overly concerned about what you will eat and what you will drink, and do not worry about such things. 30 For all the nations of the world pursue these things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 Instead, pursue his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

I was outside feeding my chickens earlier today. Once upon a time they were adorable, teeny, tiny chicks. When they're so cute and fluffy, I love watching them run around, eat, drink, and fall asleep standing up. It's honestly hard to walk away from them! But then they get bigger and grow real feathers and start pecking at us when we try to hold them. I still take care of them, but I don't find myself wanting to sit and watch them just for the joy of it. I like them (and even still talk to them) but I've never counted their feathers and I know I'm not the most attentive caretaker they could have. But I care for them because THEY ARE MINE. And I believe God wants us to know in our hearts and souls that He cares about us and He will care for us much better than I care for my chickens. Always. Because WE ARE HIS.

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In Luke 12:32, Jesus calls us His "little flock" and says again not to be afraid. He tells us our Father is WELL PLEASED to give us the kingdom. That's the same kind of pleased He was with Jesus when He was baptized and the Spirit descended on Him in the form of a dove. (Hey! Another bird!) We don't deserve this kind of care and trust. But if God is going to trust us with His kingdom, the least we can do is trust Him with our little tiny kingdoms. (Chickens, and all.)

I hope you will take some time this week to do some bird-watching. Whether it's chickens or sparrows, crows or hummingbirds, let's let them delight and remind us of how much God loves us and promises to care for our needs.

He loves you so.

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Share together...

Is it hard for you to trust God will care for your needs or those of your loved ones? How does God want you to grow in this area?
If you're reading along in Luke with us, what have you learned or noticed about Jesus that you might not have known or noticed before?

I'd love to know.

Father, thank You for caring for us. Thank You for being willing to tell us over and over and in so many different ways that You can't and won't ever want to walk away from us. Like You promise in Psalm 121, You are always watching and watching over us. You never fall asleep and You never get bored. You are faithful and caring and merciful and forgiving. May the truth about who You are and how You love us lead us to trust You with our lives and all we care about. Because You care for us.  In Jesus' Name, Amen.

This week we're reading Luke 14-20, in case you'd like to read along. Have a wonderful week!

Love Always,

Melissa 🎔

SS7: Passing the Test (Luke 4)

Hello! In this week's study, we're looking at Luke 4 and what we can learn from the temptations that Jesus faced and how He faced them. I hope you can take some time to watch the video or listen to the audio!

You can also watch the video by clicking here.
You can listen to the audio recording here.

The next readings for those of you who are reading along are Luke 8-14. You can join here on the YouVersion website or with the Bible app or just follow along here on the blog.

If you'd like to share in the comments or by email or on facebook, I'd love to hear what you've been learning in your time reading the Bible - with us through Luke or on your own. You can also share how this passage from Luke 4 encourages you to endure temptations!

May you remember that God delights in you this week.

Much Love,
Melissa 🎔

SS6: Walking Together Through the Word

I have tried a couple of times to create a video for this post, but things keep not working right - so rather than delay any longer, I'm just going to write this time! (I don't know why I forgot I can do that. Haha!)

I really appreciated what Pastor Scott shared a couple of weeks ago about the importance of reading the Bible. The tools he shared gave me an idea!

I want to invite you on an adventure walking through the New Testament this year.

I like comparing studying the Bible to studying the world. If you look at our planet from outer space or even out the window of an airplane, it is breathtaking!

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You can also zoom in and look at something tiny and it is equally as beautiful.

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We can look at the entire word of God and see a breathtaking Story of sin and redemption, love and salvation, and the past and a future filled with glorious hope. Zoom in on a single verse or word in a verse, and we can see nuances and details about God's character and promises that we would never see if we just looked from a distance.

I feel like trying to read the Bible in a year (or less!) is like flying in an airplane. You get a wonderful overview of the Big Picture, but if you want to stop and visit someplace in particular, there isn't really time or you'll "fall behind." It's true that when you keep going, you'll get through it all and hopefully understand how it fits together - which is an accomplishment! This pace works for some people, but not everyone.

Studying the Bible a verse at a time is more fun for me. (I know - I'm a nerd.) It's like looking at a leaf or a flower under a magnifying glass and I almost always find something fascinating. The problem with that approach is it can take a really long time to get through the Bible! And it's easy to miss the Big Picture if you don't already understand it.

Another option? Let's not fly over too fast, or stay too long in one spot. LET'S WALK.

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I would LOVE for you to join me on a trek through the New Testament, one chapter a day. It's fast enough that we'll get through the whole thing in about 9 months, but not so fast that we won't be able to keep up or enjoy some stops along the way. As we read together, I'll share each week in our Sister Studies post about something that stood out to me. You'll be able to share what you're learning in the comments and whenever you're together with other Butler sisters. (Or maybe I'll drag invite you into a video with me sometime!)

What do you say? Are you in?

I'm so excited about doing this together. We will all be more likely to get to the end if we are walking together.

(If you already have a Bible reading plan that's working for you that you want to stick with, please feel free to do that! You can still join the conversation here or on facebook. No worries!)

I'll post the reading schedule on the blog each week on the sidebar or you can visit the YouVersion site or use their app and join the plan there if you want to use their tracking. (It's kind of fun! And I think we'll be able to see each other's progress and cheer each other on!) Click here to check out the YouVersion group plan or click on the image above.

I'll close with this passage from Psalm 1:1-3 (CSB) and a prayer.

1 How happy (blessed) is the one who does not walk in the advice of the wicked or stand in the pathway with sinners or sit in the company of mockers! 2 Instead, his delight is in the Lord’s instruction, and he meditates on it day and night. 3 He is like a tree planted beside flowing streams that bears its fruit in its season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.

Father God, THANK YOU for your Word. Thank You for the truth it contains that sets us free. Thank You for its power. Thank You for how You speak to us through it, Holy Spirit. Thank You for how You show us Your heart through it. Grant us wisdom, insight, and understanding as we seek to walk together through the pages of scripture and let us encounter YOU. Thank You for this opportunity to journey together. May Your Kingdom come and Your will be done in each of us. In Your name Jesus, amen!

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Much Love,

Melissa 🎔

PS. Please don't think you have to do this to be part of the Sister Studies community. You don't. It's just going to guide our conversations for the next months. You're still wanted whether you are reading along or not! I promise.