I will share about Christian books I have read or listened to.
I will be sharing about my life before and after Christ. I will include stories about my pet and other pets I have encountered.
I have this little tradition that I started a few years ago. I learned of it on Facebook of all places.
It was someone's tradition to read through the book of Luke. They would read one Chapter a day beginning on December 1st. They explain that they chose Luke for a few reasons. The first was it gives us the most known story of Jesus' birth in Luke Chapter 2. Then we get to know Jesus from the prospective of Luke in his gospel as information gathered from many sources. The last reason is that Luke is 24 Chapters long. We finish the reading on Christmas Eve.
Last year was the first year I missed doing this. I was at a loss for the entire Christmas season. I don't want to miss it this year.
I have don't the readings each night. My home fellowship has often read Luke with me. We hold each other accountable. There is no shame in falling behind either. We encouraged each other to catch up and finish strong. Just like running a race. I don't do this as a mindless devotion. I pray before I read the scripture. I want the Lord to show me something new. And he has each time I did this. I think that is why I was at a loss of missing something when I didn't read Luke last year.
Would you like to join me, we can post here how we are doing, in my little Christmas Tradition? I think it brings me closer to the Lord.
Hope for the Poor in Spirit
Jesus began His famous Sermon on the Mount with an upside-down perspective and eight counter-cultural blessings—commonly known as the beatitudes.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 5:3 ESV
To be physically poor is to lack resources or material possessions. The word "poor" might trigger a mental image of someone who can’t pay their bills, can’t break free from the cycle of poverty, or can’t afford food, clothing, or shelter.
So what does it mean to be spiritually poor, and why does Jesus think that’s a good thing?
Those who realize their own spiritual poverty know that, without God, they are spiritually bankrupt. Those who are poor in spirit understand the desperation of their situation—that they can have nothing, do nothing, and be nothing without Him. Those who are poor in spirit recognize that it’s humility, not pride or self-reliance, that’s a ...
